Proton Beam Therapy for Cancer Treatment - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which doctor should I consult for proton therapy of cancer?You should consult a radiation oncologist (a doctor specializing in cancer treatment by radiation).
2. How much does the proton therapy procedure cost?
Proton therapy is very expensive. It costs anywhere between USD 30,000 to USD 120,000. This is much more than conventional radiation therapy.
3. Does proton therapy cause pain?
No. Proton therapy is a painless procedure. Patients undergoing proton therapy do not experience any pain or discomfort.
4. What is the long-term survival rate after proton therapy?
The 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer patients after proton therapy is 99% for low-risk prostate cancer and 74% for high-risk prostate cancer. For intermediate-risk prostate cancer, the value is 94%.
5. Can children receive cancer therapy?
Yes. The ability to precisely target tumors makes proton therapy ideal for treating pediatric cancers. It provides accurate targeting of tumors in crucial areas such as the brain, head & neck, and spinal cord, sparing the surrounding healthy tissue, which is vital as children are still growing.
6. How effective is proton therapy compared to conventional radiation therapy?
Proton therapy is just as effective as conventional radiation therapy, but with the added advantage that it has fewer side-effects. In certain cases, proton therapy is not only the best but also the only option. More research is however needed to prove the efficacy of proton beam therapy in improving survival as compared to standard radiotherapy.
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Dr. Kaushik Bharati. (2021, July 28). Proton Beam Therapy for Cancer Treatment - Frequently Asked Questions. Medindia. Retrieved on Dec 19, 2024 from https://www.medindia.net/health/treatment/proton-beam-therapy-for-cancer-treatment-faqs.htm.
MLA
Dr. Kaushik Bharati. "Proton Beam Therapy for Cancer Treatment - Frequently Asked Questions". Medindia. Dec 19, 2024. <https://www.medindia.net/health/treatment/proton-beam-therapy-for-cancer-treatment-faqs.htm>.
Chicago
Dr. Kaushik Bharati. "Proton Beam Therapy for Cancer Treatment - Frequently Asked Questions". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/health/treatment/proton-beam-therapy-for-cancer-treatment-faqs.htm. (accessed Dec 19, 2024).
Harvard
Dr. Kaushik Bharati. 2021. Proton Beam Therapy for Cancer Treatment - Frequently Asked Questions. Medindia, viewed Dec 19, 2024, https://www.medindia.net/health/treatment/proton-beam-therapy-for-cancer-treatment-faqs.htm.