Proton Beam Therapy (PBT)
Proton therapy emerges as a promising cancer treatment method. By accelerating hydrogen's atomic nucleus, protons, to high energy levels, a proton beam is generated. Notably, proton therapy offers optimal dose distribution within the body, thanks to the Bragg Peak of the proton beam. This focused irradiation of tumors minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissues, resulting in fewer side effects. Unlike invasive surgeries, proton therapy is gentle and noninvasive, allowing patients to receive treatment as outpatients while maintaining their quality of life (QOL). Consequently, proton therapy garners global attention for its efficacy and patient-centered approach.
Proton therapy is utilized not only in cancer treatment but also in addressing benign (non-cancerous) tumors located throughout various regions of the body. A non-exhaustive list includes:
- head/neck
- lung
- liver
- spinal cord
- esophagus
- pancreas
- pediatric
- prostate
More information available:
https://www.shi.co.jp/english/products/machinery/proton/index.html
Principle:
Proton therapy consists of targeted high radiation that damages the DNA of a tumor, which ultimately leads to its destruction. The high-energy proton beam is generated in a particle accelerator, typically a cyclotron or a synchrotron. The beam is guided towards the tumor from multiple angles, with its energy calibrated to deliver the beam at a certain depth.
