Proton therapy is a modern method of treating cancerous tumors. This method is an alternative to radiation radiotherapy. The main difference between these methods is that proton therapy uses positively charged particles. They are called protons.
Advantages and disadvantages of therapy
According to the results of treatment through this therapy, there are positive results. Currently, this method is not used for all types of tumors. The main advantage of this method of treating neoplasms is that after it there is a smaller number of negative effects on the human body. Since such a method exists relatively recently, it is impossible to say exactly how much the effect of it will remain.
Application
When is proton therapy involved? This method is used to treat malignant and benign tumors. Proton therapy is used both independently and in combination with other methods of treatment. For example, with surgery or chemotherapy.
There is a list of diseases in which this method of treatment is used. These include the following:
- Children's oncological diseases.
- Melanoma eyes.
- Damage to the brain by tumors.
- Oncological diseases of the head and cervical spine.
- Damage to the spinal cord by various tumors.
- Oncology of the lungs.
- Damage to the base of the skull with tumors.
- Oncology of the prostate.
- Pituitary cancer.
- Oncology of the liver.
Now the Center for Proton Therapy conducts clinical studies of the use of this method in the treatment of diseases such as:
- Lymphoma
- Oncological diseases of the bladder.
- Malignant tumors of the cervix.
- Cancerous lesions of the esophagus.
- Malignant cells in the chest.
- Sarcoma.
- Oncology of the pancreas.
What complications may arise after a course of proton therapy?
Despite the fact that this method is considered more gentle than radiation exposure, it can still cause some disturbances in the body.
The complications that this proton-radiation therapy provokes are divided into two main groups. The first includes those that occur with the death of cancer cells. The second group of complications is associated with damage to healthy cells.
The advantage of proton therapy is that the irradiation process can be controlled. Complications that arise in the human body depend on which area is exposed.
Examples of complications that may occur during therapy:
- A person may lose hair. As a rule, baldness occurs on the part of the body where the therapy was directed.
- The skin in the irradiation area may redden.
- The occurrence of various skin irritations.
- General fatigue.
Preparatory stage for proton therapy
If the patient is prescribed proton therapy, it is necessary to determine the point through which the effect on the body will be produced. It is usually determined by magnetic resonance imaging. An important point is that during the procedure, the patient must be fixed. To ensure this situation, a person lays on a special couch. If necessary, the head is fixed with a mask.
Fixation of the patient is necessary, since during the procedure is determined not only the entry point of the rays, but also their direction. Therefore, it is important that the patient does not move during her.
The time of the session. What course is needed?
The procedure is usually twenty minutes. It is recommended that it take place every day during the work week. The general course lasts 14-21 days. But there are times when the patient needs one or two sessions. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the course of the disease.
Therapy is carried out through a special apparatus. The principle of its action is to accelerate particles around the patient. The tumor is irradiated at certain angles. This method reduces the exposure of healthy body tissues.
What to do at the end of the session?
After carrying out proton therapy, the patient can stay in the clinic or go home. It all depends on the general condition of the person. You should be aware that after several procedures, fatigue and various skin lesions will appear.
Oncological diseases in modern society
Today, medical technology is developing rapidly. There are many ways to treat various diseases. There are treatment regimens for those diseases that were considered incurable several years ago. As for oncology, unfortunately, medical technologies do not offer a 100% effective therapy. A person is more likely to recover from this disease if malignant tumors were detected at an early stage of their development. There is statistics showing that every third inhabitant of developed countries falls ill with an oncological disease. Unfortunately, the exact causes of these diseases have not yet been identified.
Well-known are methods of treating oncological lesions of the body. Radiotherapy refers to economical methods. It is also quite effective. The main disadvantage of irradiation is that it gives serious complications to other organs and systems. In this sense, proton therapy is the most gentle way of influencing patients due to the fact that radiation is directed only to the affected area. However, other tissues are less affected.
Proton therapy is prescribed to patients of any age category. But more often it is used to treat children. This is due to the fact that it causes less negative impact on the body.
Nuclear medicine in oncology
In our country, there are special centers that detect oncological processes in the body using the isotope method. The peculiarity of their work is that they apply the most advanced technologies for treating diseases through an industry such as nuclear medicine.
You should know that with oncology you need to identify the focus of its spread in the body. This can be done by a highly qualified specialist. Proton therapy is a modern cancer treatment. In current cancer centers, it is possible to diagnose an ailment at a stage when it is not yet displayed on the tomograph. You can also look at the process of cell damage.
The best way to prevent serious diseases is to prevent them and have a healthy lifestyle. A person needs to become in the habit of conducting a comprehensive examination of the body and ensuring that his body is in good shape. Everyone knows how to build a healthy lifestyle, which includes proper nutrition, regular walks in the fresh air, physical education. No one is safe from any ailments. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor yourself. The detection of diseases at an early stage allows you to take all the necessary measures to improve the body and quickly return to a normal lifestyle. Call your doctor in a timely manner for the slightest fear and be healthy!