What are the damaging side effects of proton therapy?

What are the damaging side effects of proton therapy?

Proton Therapy Side Effects

• Sore, reddened skin around the treatment area that can look and feel like a sunburn.
• Hair loss in the treatment area.
• Tiredness or low energy.

What type of cancer does proton therapy treat?

Proton therapy is most commonly used at MSK to treat head and neck cancer and pediatric cancers. We also are using it increasingly to treat spine tumors, breast cancer, sarcoma, brain tumors, and prostate cancer.

Is proton therapy better than chemotherapy?

For patients with advanced, inoperable stage 3 lung cancer, concurrent chemotherapy and the specialized radiation treatment, proton therapy, offers improved survival compared to historical data for standard of care, according to a new study from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Do you lose your hair with proton therapy?

The side effects you experience will depend on which part of your body is being treated and the dose of proton therapy you receive. In general, common side effects of proton therapy include: Fatigue. Hair loss around the part of your body being treated.

Who is a good candidate for proton therapy?

Particularly good candidates for proton therapy are patients with solid tumors near sensitive organs, such as brain, breast and lung cancers. While, for recurrent, pediatric and ocular cancers, proton radiation is viewed as the standard of care.

What to expect from proton therapy?

What to Expect During Proton Therapy With every visit, you can expect to be treated with warmth and compassion by each member of your proton therapy team. These caring professionals serve as a consistent point of contact and source of information and resources.

What do you need to know about proton therapy?

Proton Therapy Proton therapy is usually painless, and you can often return to your daily activities afterward. A typical course of treatment is five days per week for several weeks. The proton beam only treats you for a few minutes, but preparation and positioning take longer.

How successful is proton therapy?

Proton therapy exhibits higher success rates in prostate cancer patients. Patients with low to medium risk prostate cancer experienced a success rate of 99% while those with high risk prostate cancer experienced a success rate of up to 76% compared to conventional radiation.

What are the side effects of proton therapy?

In general, common side effects of proton therapy include: Fatigue. Mouth, eating and digestion problems. Headaches. Hair loss around the part of your body being treated. Skin redness around the part of your body being treated.