All about proton therapy for cancer treatment

All about proton therapy for cancer treatment

Proton therapies have been primarily and popularly used to treat cancers. However, this therapy could be used to treat the non-cancerous tumor. It is also combined with several other types of treatment, like surgeries and chemotherapy. This advanced treatment method could be used instead of traditional X- Rays. The treatment makes use of energies from protons that are positively charged.

This advanced treatment has shown positive and effective results in treating cancer. Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma’s health clinic and the center provide Proton Therapy, as Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma has a fellowship in this treatment line.

Uses of Proton Therapy

Proton Therapy is effective in treating varied types of cancer. It is evidenced that proton therapy has fewer side effects than radiation, as doctors control proton beams when they deliver energy. Although, this type of therapy is not popular in many countries except the United States.

The therapy could be used alone or in conjunction with other treatment lines. The use of proton therapy can be done in brain tumors, breast cancer, eye melanoma, liver and lung cancers, prostate cancer, and others. Despite its varied use, its effectiveness in many types of cancer cannot be ascertained.

Proton therapy Vs. Traditional Ones

Both proton and traditional therapies are a type of radiation therapies. Traditional radiation therapy would include x-rays, photon beams, and others. However, they cause severe side effects and severely damage healthy tissues as well. A study finding concluded that doctors have control over beams in proton therapy. Thus, tumor cells are specifically targeted, protecting the healthy tissues. For this reason, proton therapy is considered a safe option for cancer treatment.

In addition, the proton is a new and advanced therapy, and thus more expensive than existing radiation therapies. Besides, the therapy requires trained staff, expert doctors, and a highly in-built infrastructure. This makes it less prevalent in countries and regions where resources are less. In addition, traditional therapies have proven advantages, but proton is new, with

less evidence supporting its effectiveness in cancer treatment. However, since the side effects are significantly less, it is now being used in many healthcare units like Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma. The clinical trials for proton therapy are still ongoing, which will provide many insights, including the effectiveness.

Benefits of Proton Therapy over traditional ones

Both traditional radiation and proton therapies work on damaging cellular DNA. One of the benefits is that the proton will deposit energy on the cancerous tumor. As a result, the radiation will not travel further to other cells or tissues. Thereby, through proton therapy, fewer healthy tissues will be damaged compared to traditional radiation ones. As organs receive lesser radiation, the chances of complications are also reduced.

When traditional X-Rays are used, the radiation doses are majorly deposited in the body while it travels toward the cancer cells. The travel of radiation continues even after the process is complete. Thus, the body receives more radiation than the dosage, damaging the cells. In addition, proton therapies target the cells for radiation which lacks in the traditional radiation therapy.

Risks and common side effects

Even though proton therapy has common side effects, they cannot be ignored. In addition, the experience or side effects vary from person- to person. However, the most common side effects on cancer patients include fatigue, loss of hair, reddening of skin areas, soreness in various body parts, and others.

In addition, by using proton therapy, you must not expect a longer life expectancy from the patient. In other words, it does not improve life expectancy but helps to kill the tumor and cancer cells. Also, getting help from the best oncologists, like Dr, Manoj Kumar Sharma, helps deal with treatment and side effects more effectively.

Expectations from Proton Therapy

The expectations from the therapy are based on during and after taking therapy. During the ongoing treatment through proton therapy, the patient is given no more than one session. Before each session, a patient can expect more than 30 minutes in preparation. Also, regular CT scans are done to calculate the sessions required and oversee the growth of tumor cells.

Proton therapy takes place through a machine named a gantry. This machine aims at specific points where tumor cells are located. Unlike traditional therapy, there is no immediate side effect. However, one might experience side effects after a few days have passed. After taking sequential treatments, the patients feel exhausted and may have difficulty doing daily tasks.

Proton therapy is an advanced type of cancer treatment that requires expertise. If you are looking for advanced treatments, then connecting with Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma will benefit you. His clinic is well known in Delhi- NCR region and has all the required advanced equipment. Seeking quality medical help will enable you to recover effectively.