Proton therapy is a modern way of treating cancerous tumors. This method is an alternative to 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 are fewer negative effects on the human body. Since such a method exists relatively recently, it is impossible to say exactly how long the effect of it will last.
Application
When is proton therapy used? This method is used to treat malignant and benign tumors. Proton therapy is used both alone and in combination with other treatments. For example, with surgery or chemotherapy.
There is a list of diseases for which this method of treatment is used. These include the following:
- Babyoncological diseases.
- Melanoma of the eye.
- Tumours in the brain.
- Oncological diseases of the head and cervical region.
- Spinal cord damage by various tumors.
- Lung cancer.
- Tumours at the base of the skull.
- Prostate cancer.
- Pituitary cancer.
- Liver cancer.
Currently, the Proton Therapy Center is conducting clinical studies on 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 breast.
- Sarcoma.
- Oncology of the pancreas.
What complications can occur 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 beam therapy provokes fall 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 he althy cells.
The advantage of proton therapy is that the irradiation process can be controlled. Complications that occur in the human body depend on which area is affected.
Examplescomplications that may occur during therapy:
- A person's hair can fall out. As a rule, baldness disappears on the part of the body where the therapy was directed.
- May redden the skin in the irradiation area.
- Occurrence of various skin irritations.
- General fatigue.
Preparation for Proton Therapy
If the patient is prescribed proton therapy, then it is necessary to determine the point through which the effect on the body will be made. It is usually determined by magnetic resonance imaging. An important point is that during the procedure the patient must be fixed. To ensure this position, a person lies on a special couch. If necessary, the head is fixed with a mask.
Fixation of the patient is necessary, since during the procedure not only the entry point of the rays is determined, but also their direction. Therefore, it is important that the patient does not move during it.
Time of the session. What course is required?
The procedure is usually twenty minutes long. It is recommended that it take place every day during the working week. The general course lasts 14-21 days. But there are times when a patient needs one or two sessions. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the organism and the course of the disease.
Therapy is carried out by means of a special apparatus. Its principle of operation is to accelerate the particles around the patient. The tumor is irradiated under certaincorners. This method reduces the exposure of he althy body tissues.
What to do at the end of the session?
After 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 at a rapid pace. There are many ways to treat various diseases. There are treatment regimens for those diseases that were considered incurable a few 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 are statistics showing that every third inhabitant of developed countries falls ill with cancer. Unfortunately, the exact causes of these diseases have not yet been identified.
Well-known are methods of treatment of oncological lesions of the body. Radiotherapy is an economical method. It is also quite efficient. 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 to influence patients due to the fact that the irradiation is directed only to the affected area. However, other tissues are lessexposed.
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 effects on the body.
Nuclear medicine in oncology
In our country there are special centers that use isotopes to detect oncological processes in the body. The peculiarity of their work is that they apply the most modern technologies for the treatment of 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 one of the modern methods of cancer treatment. In current oncology centers, it is possible to diagnose an ailment at a stage when it is not yet displayed on a tomograph. You can also look at the process of cell damage.
The best way to prevent serious diseases is their prevention and a he althy lifestyle. A person needs to get into the habit of doing a comprehensive examination of the body and ensuring that his body is kept in good shape. Everyone knows how a he althy lifestyle is built, which includes proper nutrition, regular walks in the fresh air, and physical education. No one is immune from the occurrence of any ailments. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor yourself. Identification of diseases at an early stage allows you to take all the necessary measures to improve the body and as quickly as possible.return to normal life. Seek medical attention in a timely manner at the slightest concern and be he althy!
