Proton therapy is a radiation technique that limits side effects associated with traditional tumor-removal treatments, according to Scicasts.
Here are five observations:
1. The Marjorie and Leonard Williams Center for Proton Therapy at Orlando Health houses a three-story, 200,000-pound machine that targets a proton beam into a specific area.
2. Traditional radiation utilizes X-rays, which exposes more fragile areas to radiation.
3. Proton therapy delivers the dose only inside the tumor, so the therapy does not impact surrounding areas.
4. Patients with tumors on the spine, brain and optic nerve stand to benefit from proton therapy as the surrounding areas are highly critical.
5. Physicians anticipate using the proton therapy machine to treat up to 20 patients daily. Most patients will have cancer affecting the brain, spine, prostate, lung, breast, gastrointestinal tract, head or neck.