Proton therapy, also known as proton beam therapy, is a form of radiation therapy used to treat cancer. It selectively targets tumors while preserving healthy tissues and allows for the administration of higher radiation doses, thereby increasing the likelihood of treatment success. Unlike conventional radiotherapy, which uses X-rays or electrons, proton therapy utilizes protons, which are heavier atomic particles with greater energy than electrons, making them more precise and effective. In proton therapy, energy is released at a specific depth within the tissue, corresponding to the so-called Bragg peak. The use of protons for cancer treatment was first proposed in the 1940s and was experimented with in the 1950s. However, it wasn\u2019t until the 1990s that the first hospital dedicated to this therapy was built in America, at Loma Linda, which remains a global reference point to this day. Since then, more than 60 facilities have been established worldwide, with many others under construction or planned. The number of patients treated worldwide exceeds 130,000.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![](\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271920%27%20height%3D%271327%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201920%201327%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271920%27%20height%3D%271327%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\")
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
It is estimated that by 2030, 226,000 patients could be treated with proton therapy compared to the 20,500 patients treated in 2016.<\/h2><\/h2><\/div>(Fonte: MEDraysIntell)<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![](\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271243%27%20height%3D%27851%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201243%20851%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271243%27%20height%3D%27851%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\")
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
What are protons<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>Protons are heavy subatomic particles with a positive electric charge. They release the maximum radiation dose at the end of their path. This physical characteristic is determined by the Bragg Peak. Due to their relatively large mass, protons exhibit minimal lateral dispersion when traversing tissues; thus, the beam does not spread, remaining focused on the tumor mass and thereby ensuring minimal collateral damage to surrounding tissues. All protons of a given energy have a specific penetration power, so only a few protons penetrate beyond a certain distance, sparing the tissues behind the tumor.<\/p>\n<\/div>
![\"protonterapia\"](\"https:\/\/linearbeam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Uomo-a.png\" "\\"Uomo")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"protonterapia\"](\"https:\/\/linearbeam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/uomo-b.png\" "\\"uomo")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Proton therapy significantly reduces the risk of long-term side effects and is particularly suitable for patients with a long life expectancy after treatment.<\/h2><\/h2><\/div>(Fonte: MEDraysIntell)<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Bragg peak<\/strong><\/h3><\/h3><\/div>The Bragg peak is the curve obtained by plotting the energy lost by a particle penetrating matter against the depth it reaches as it progresses. The \u201cpeak\u201d shape of protons shows that these particles release most of their energy at the end of their path, and this important characteristic is exploited in medicine to treat tumors without surgery, using the particles as \u201cdepth charges.\u201d<\/p>\n
Healthcare professionals, by adjusting the energy of the protons, gain control of the proton beam, which thus releases the tumoricidal dose only in the last millimeters of its path, precisely on target.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"protonterapia\"](\"https:\/\/linearbeam.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/picco.png\" "\\"picco\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Proton therapy will completely replace conventional radiotherapy in a large number of indications.<\/h2><\/h2><\/div>(Fonte: MEDraysIntell)<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n
What types of cancer can be treated with proton therapy?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/h3><\/div>
All tumors currently treated with conventional radiotherapy can be treated with proton therapy, especially those close to vital organs (head and neck region). It is indicated in cases of radio-induced tumors (arising in patients previously treated with conventional radiotherapy) and for all pediatric solid tumors, as it allows for minimal impact on children.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![\"Template\"](\"\/\/linearbeam.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/revslider\/public\/assets\/assets\/dummy.png\" "\\"The")
\n