Principles, Practices, and Advancements in Proton Therapy

Jacqueline (Kim) Mylan, MBA, R.T.(T)(ARRT)*

^*Program Dean and Instructor Emeritus, Radiation Therapy, Cambridge College of Healthcare and Technology, Delray Beach, FL.

Address correspondence to: Jacqueline (Kim) Mylan, MBA, R.T.(T)(ARRT). E-mail: jkimmylan@yahoo.com.

Disclosure statement: The author reports having no significant financial or advisory relationships with corporate organizations related to this activity.

ABSTRACT

Patients with cancer have traditionally been treated with external-beam radiation therapy, which is most often performed with photons. Using protons to treat patients with cancer began in the 1930s using physics research center cyclotrons. As technology and interest in proton treatments advanced, proton centers were built worldwide, which allowed more studies to be conducted and more patients to be treated. While interest in using proton therapy for a variety of cancer treatments varies, the primary advantage is being able to deliver very targeted treatment without the risk of damaging healthy tissue. The physics and dosimetry of proton beam therapy allow for both an increased cure rate and significantly less side effects. This course will review quality assurance measures, treatment strategies, and studies in proton treatment for patients with central nervous system tumors, head and neck cancers, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and esophageal and lung cancer; a discussion about proton therapy for pediatric patients is included as well. A brief review of proton therapy physics, radiobiology, and safety considerations will be given as well as an overview of the development of and current technologies.