GI cancers — including pancreatic, colon, liver and esophageal — may require multiple treatment options, depending on the case. The result can mean a heavy toll placed on the patient’s body. Proton therapy reduces damage to healthy tissue, which in turn limits potential side effects that can negatively impact your quality of life as well as your ability to safely combine treatment options, such as radiation and surgery.3-4, 6-8, 15 Specific treatment routes are dependent on tumor size, location and other factors.
Proton therapy has the dexterity to move deep within the body to treat hard-to-reach cancers, like GI cancers, without posing a substantial threat to the digestive system and neighboring organs. While traditional radiation can affect surrounding regions, the proton beam is designed to deposit a concentrated dose within a specific area. This ensures that as much of the destructive energy as possible is delivered directly to the cancerous cells. Most patients experience few side effects from proton radiation, with minor side effects including fatigue or localized hair loss or skin irritation in some cases. More serious complications are possible, though rare, depending on tumor location and other factors.
Treatment options may vary on a case-by-case basis, so contact us to consult with our clinicians and find out if proton therapy could be right for you.
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