Proton therapy

Proton therapy is a radiation oncology treatment for tumors that have developed near critical organs such as the brain, heart, and spinal cord. It can also be indicated in cases of large tumors, reducing the integral dose, in most cases, to healthy tissues to acceptable levels.
With proton radiotherapy, tumors arising in difficult-to-treat locations or requiring the delivery of very high doses can be treated.
The choice of which radiotherapy technique is most appropriate is decided by the radiation oncology physician after careful evaluation of each case, taking into account the most recent available scientific data, which are constantly evolving, and after the presentation of the case in multidisciplinary tumor boards.
Proton therapy is a particularly useful treatment in pediatric cancers where tissues are continuously growing and developing because it ensures minimal radiation exposure and where often large volumes, relative to body size, are treated. Clinical studies have demonstrated excellent results of proton therapy by showing a reduced incidence of side effects in irradiated tissues, a reduced impact on growth and thus final body height and a low risk of radiation induced secondary tumors.