What are the advantages and disadvantages of proton therapy for cancer?

The benefits of proton therapy of cancer include it is more accurate than alternative treatment and less likely to cause damage to the surrounding tissues. Proton therapy can also be focused exactly on the exact depth of the tumor, minimizing damage to other parts of the body. However, treatment can cause the same side effects as other forms of radiation treatment and is also expensive. This is because protons are larger and heavier than particles used in other types of radiation therapy. Greater mass means that the protons are scattered into other parts of the body, which reduces damage to the surrounding tissue. If other radiation types are used, such as X -rays, it is difficult to get radiation to stop at the exact depth of Cancer. This means that radiation continues and can affect other parts of the body. On the other hand, the proton energy can be adjusted so that most can not penetrate any further than required.

It is assumed that proton teraPie cancer causes less side effects than other forms of radiation therapy. However, there are still a number of side effects that may occur when used, although they are dependent on where the treatment is applied and requires the dose. The side effects that occur soon after treatment - such as the ulcers of the neck, swelling or infertility depending on the location of therapy - are called acute. Late side effects - for example, reduce skin elasticity, heart disease and even secondary cancer in rare cases - often takes many years than weeks to manifest. Many patients who require proton therapy with low dose for cancer from any side effects.

The main disadvantage of proton therapy of cancer is that it is expensive. This may not apply to health insurance for the patient, but sometimes it can cause problems with the insurance company. It is estimated that proton therapy can cost up to three times more than traditional cancer radiation therapy, although efforts to develop costMore efficient alternatives that can still be effective in the treatment of the disease.