Proton Therapy Produces Outstanding Results in Prostate Cancer

Posted by Rheta Mankin on December 16th, 2015

A relatively new and somewhat controversial form of cancer treatment is demonstrating excellent results in prostate cancer patients. Despite those who say the alternative to traditional radiotherapy is too cumbersome, researchers are showing that proton therapy delivers “extremely high efficacy” in five-year outcomes.

Proton therapy involves the use of a highly targeted proton beam. Like traditional radiotherapy, the treatment is designed to kill cancer cells and prevent their spread through the use of irradiation. Unlike traditional therapies, however, proton beams can be more precisely targeted. This advantage means doctors are often able to more readily spare healthy tissue from damage during the irradiation process. That means exposure to such undesirable treatment side effects as incontinence and impotence can be greatly reduced. This therapy, although limited in its availability at this time, is beginning to gain ground in its popularity because of the results it’s producing.

The latest research related to prostate cancer treatment with proton therapy indicates this particular alternative does deliver some advantages in survival rates, as well. The study published in the International Journal of Radiation, Oncology, Biology and Physicians tracked 211 participants who were in the low-risk, intermediate-risk and high-risk categories. The five-year survival rate of patients involved in the study was 93 percent, 88 percent and 90 percent respectively. What’s more is the study showed that proton beam therapy was able to stop progression in its tracks. The five-year rate of freedom from progression was 99 percent in the low-risk and intermediate-risk patients and 76 percent in high risk patients.

Proton beam therapy is only offered at 100 or so locations across the globe at this time due to the space requirements for equipment involved in the treatment. As the success of this therapy continues to grow, however, the race is on for developers to create more compact, affordable treatment technology.

Patients who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are urged to discuss all treatment options with their healthcare providers. If available, proton beam therapy may provide an alternative to traditional radiotherapy in some cases.

About Author
Lewisville/Flower Mound Oncology Group, a division of Choice Cancer Care – is an independently owned and operated oncology practice that is completely focused on unique, comprehensive patient care.

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Rheta Mankin

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Rheta Mankin
Joined: July 2nd, 2015
Articles Posted: 8

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