Proton Beam Therapy: The Most Precise Cancer Radiation Treatment

Conventional radiation therapy (radiotherapy 1) for more than 100 years: Primary objective to kill cancer (malignant 1) cells, utilizing high energy particles or x-ray particles. Also, the therapy referred to as ionizing radiation. 1 High - energy beams are directed to deposit a radiation dose, location of cancer cells in the body. Most often conventional radiation is applied in conjunction with surgery, hormone therapy and chemotherapy (drugs) or a combination. In a few applications, radiotherapy is utilized to treat non - malignant conditions, including thyroid eye disease. 1 Many patients have benefited from conventional radiation therapy however side effects or drawbacks have been known to be toxic, surrounding healthy tissues exposed to radiation; kills healthy cells.

Severity of damage as result of conventional radiation therapy does vary. During breast cancer therapy, patients may be affected by developing cardiovascular disease or secondary malignancies. 2 Consequences of conventional radiation therapy may cause skin damage (depending upon length of treatment), throat, esophagus, mouth and bowel may be damaged. Also, this type of radiation therapy, may affect ovaries and testicles, which are very sensitive to radiation, as result may cause infertility. Other common side effects include hair loss. 1