Proton Technology
Proton Therapy
- Proton therapy is one of the most advanced forms of external beam radiation therapy which uses high-energy protons accelerated from cyclotron in the treatment of cancer. Protons release almost all of their energy when they reach the tumor with no exit dose left behind, unlike X-rays used in conventional radiation therapy.
- Proton therapy can target prostate cancer cells delivering precise and higher radiation doses while significantly reducing the damage of healthy tissue surrounding the prostate.
Proton vs photon (X-ray) , DVH of IMRT and PROTON Treatment Photon IMRT plan (right) and proton plan (left), Proton delivers highly focused radiation to prostate cancer with smaller amount of doses to surrounding healthy organs
Example Cases
- Prostate Cancer
- Recurrent rectal cancer
- Oropharyngeal cancer
- Liver cancer - Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Retinoblastoma case
Case 1 : Prostate cancer
Hypofractionated proton beam therapy for prostate cancer.
The dose to the surrounding normal organ (the bladder and rectum) is very low.
The PSA values gradually decrease below 1.0 after PBT.
Case 2 : Recurrent rectal cancer
Metastatic lesion at seminal vesicle was treated with proton beam therapy 60 Gy/30 fractions.
At 1 month after completion of proton beam therapy, the lesion completely disappeared with being changed into necrotic cavity.
Case 3 : Oropharyngeal cancer
An 84 year old lady with locally advanced (cT3N2M0) oropharyngeal cancer
She was treated with proton beam therapy alone (64.8 Gy/27 fxs) without chemotherapy.
Contralateral parotid gland was well preserved.
She achieved complete response as shown on post-treatment PET/CT.
She is alive and well with minimal toxicity (telangiectasia of the skin).
Case 4 : Liver cancer - Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Complete response of hepatocellular carcinoma to proton beam therapy (PBT).
Pre-PBT
3x3cm Hepatocellular carcinoma on S6
CT scans showing the primary tumor (arrow)
Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization treatment was ineffective and local ablative treatment is unsuitable, resulting in the patient undergoing PBT involving 72 Gy in 24 fractions.
CT scans at 6 month after PBT.
Note the complete remission of the primary tumor
Case 5 : Retinoblastoma case
PBT planning to minimize radiation dose to the optic nerve, lens, lacrimal gland and adjacent orbital bone while treating the retinal tumor
