Proton therapy allows for effective treatment of prostate cancer while delivering a lower dose of radiation to normal, adjacent structures such as the prostate and bladder. Coupled with the use of an absorbable rectal spacer, proton therapy can further improve doses to healthy tissues such as the rectum and adjacent nerves and vessels.
Men with prostate cancer are potentially candidates for proton therapy, depending on the stage of cancer and other health factors.
Proton therapy can minimize radiation damage to the bladder and rectum, which are near the prostate. With proton therapy, a higher dose of radiation can be delivered directly to the tumor site, which can result in excellent tumor control, while largely sparing the bladder and rectum from radiation damage. Studies comparing protons to X-ray therapy have reported that protons are as effective with potentially fewer and less severe side effects.
Learn about why a Grosse Ile, MI man chose proton therapy to treat his prostate cancer.