How is Proton Therapy Different?

Proton therapy is another type of radiation therapy cancer treatment that uses precise high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. Compared to traditional X-ray radiation, it helps you beat cancer with fewer side effects and a better quality of life.

In traditional radiation therapy, photons, also called X-rays, travel through the body, delivering cancer-killing energy as they go. As a result, X-ray radiation has both an entrance and exit dose, damaging healthy tissues surrounding your tumor. Read more about the differences between proton radiation and radiation therapy.

Protons naturally move and release energy differently, allowing them to travel safely through the body, releasing a burst of energy at the end of their path. Proton therapy uses protons, which are charged particles, to target tumors within the body. Because charged particles have mass, the distance they travel in the body can be predicted. Meaning protons can travel a precise distance in the body and stop, thus reducing radiation doses to meaningful non-cancerous tissues. The stopping power of protons in the body sets it apart from other radiation therapy options. Proton beam radiation conforms to the specific shape of your tumor, sparing healthy tissue and reducing your risk of side effects.