Proton Beam Therapy Prostate Cancer

Proton Beam Therapy Prostate Cancer

Proton beam therapy prostate cancer is a type of beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer treatments. Proton beam therapy is a form of radiation treatment that utilizes protons instead of x-rays to address cancer. A proton is a positively loaded atom with the basic unit of chemical elements, like hydrogen or oxygen. Protons is use to demolish cancer cells at high-power.

In America, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, but if it is detected early, prostate cancer has approximately 99% 5-year survival rate.

The initiative to use high powered protons for medical therapy was in year 1946. Within 10 years from then, proton treatment was started out for patients with certain cancers. Research and laboratory centers practical application had increased speedily following the next 30 years.

In 1974, proton beam therapy was initiatory used for cancer therapy in America at a physics research laboratory. The first United States of America hospital based proton facility started treating cancer patients in 1990. More than tens of thousands of people have received proton beam therapy in the U.S.A. since then. The number of proton therapy locations in United States or centers that offer this proton beam therapy is rising but is still consider small scale.

Prostate cancer happens when cancer cells in the prostate develop and manifold uncontrollably, damaging encompassing tissue and intervening with the normal role of the prostate. The prostate is found below the bladder, which is in front of the rectum, cancer cells can potentially disperse to other parts of the body

Conventional radiation treatment can cause damage to the tissue beside the tumor. The bladder and surrounding areas can cause bowel or urinary incontinence due to traditional prostate cancer treatments, which can greatly reduce any unnecessary side effects.

Proton beam therapy prostate cancer confines the radiation to the tumor itself, patients have a higher percentage of avoiding any urinary complications side effects, such as involuntary outflow.

One of the proton beam therapy bad results are that there's no follow up pathology comparing to surgery, PSA test is somehow the only way to know whether patient is cancer free. There could also be rectal side effects, since the front of the rectum suffers radiation during the procedure. A small percentage could get serious rectal issues that require further treatment, while some may suffer temporary constipation, etc.

A observational study shows that men treated with proton beams develops bowel problems, such as bleeding and blockages comparing to men who underwent conventional radiation, but since it is just observational, hence, it is not definitive.

Proton beam therapy for prostate cancer generally has little to no recovery time after therapy. The chances of having post treatment impotency is reduced. Most patients can endure the therapy and are capable to continue working, exercising and continue sexual activity after their proton beam therapy for prostate cancer.