Nuclear Oncology

Archive for the ‘Cancer Therapy’ Category

The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. For most of the possible sites of tumor location, the average duration of treatment is usually five to seven weeks, although in rare cases the treatment of certain tumors may only last a few days. The duration of each treatment will vary according to type of tumor and the stage is. The application of proton beams to the patient lasts only a minute, although the total time in the treatment room will be longer (15-20 minutes) to position and make adjustments to equipment.

For daily treatment, the patient enters the treatment room and placed his staff immobilization device. The patient is positioned with the help of laser sights, with an accuracy such that the error is within about half a centimeter. Then, the radiation therapist takes several X-ray diagnosis of low-power or digital images to ensure proper alignment. This process is repeated before each treatment. In some cases, use a fan beam CT to visualize the target before each treatment.
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Protons are atoms that have a positive charge. Like the X-rays are used to treat benign and malignant tumors, a beam of protons can be used to irradiate tumors in the same way. There are no differences between the biological effects of protons compared with photons (X rays). Physically, the protons release most of their energy when they hit the tumor and, unlike photons, do not apply a dose outside the boundaries of the tumor. Therefore, the radiation dose is best suited to the tumor and less damage to healthy tissue. As a result, the treating physician (an oncologist) can potentially give a higher dose to the tumor while minimizing unwanted side effects. This feature is particularly important in the treatment of children, reducing the radiation to tissue growth and development.

Proton therapy is being used to treat tumors in the following areas of the body with promising early results:

* Lung
* Prostate
* Brain
* Vertebral body tumors  or column
* Sarcomas of the skull base
* Pediatric Brain Tumors
* Head and neck (see page head and neck cancer
* Melanomas of the eye
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