Proton Therapy for Esophageal Cancer

Proton therapy is delivered using a purpose-built machine called a cyclotron or synchrotron that accelerates proton particles directly to a tumor or other areas of concern for microscopic tumors. Traditional radiation therapy delivers photons or x-rays that pass through the body to the tumor site while continuing on though healthy tissue to finally exit the body. This unfortunately causes healthy tissue to be irradiated in the process of treatment causing adverse side effects including potentially new tumors. Proton therapy is far superior to traditional radiation therapy due to its ability to be manipulated so precisely that the desired radiation dose can be delivered while ensuring it stops at the far side of the tumor site. The unique and ultra-precise delivery property of protons is known as the Bragg-Peak (pictured below). In essence, with Proton therapy technology, we can deliver the desired radiation dose to the tumor with virtually no radiation reaching the surround healthy tissues.

Due to the esophagus’ proximity to critical organs such as the stomach, lungs, heart, and certain lymph nodes, patients see far better outcomes and fewer adverse side effects with Proton therapy due to it’s ability to precisely deliver radiation to a tumor. Due to it’s precision, proton therapy delivers less radiation to the heart, lungs, and other upper abdomen structures. Less radiation to these critical organs reduces the likelihood that patients will experience adverse effects during or even years after treatment.

In treatment of esophageal cancers, proton therapy can reduce or avoid radiation to surrounding healthy tissue and organs thus greatly reducing the likelihood of adverse side effects. Depending on the tumor location and type, proton therapy may achieve the following benefits: – Reduced risk of inflammation of the heart (pericarditis) and future heart problems like hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), stiffening of the heart muscle (fibrosis, cardiomyopathy), and heart attacks. – Reduced risk of inflammation of the lungs (radiation pneumonitis), and problems with lung function (lung fibrosis). – Reduced risk of nausea and diarrhea. – Reduced radiation to the bone marrow and circulating lymphocytes, which may help support the function of the immune system in fighting cancer. – Reduced risk of low blood counts (anemia, neutropenia) which may support the body’s tolerance of chemotherapy. – Reduced risk for younger patients with a good prognosis and a long life expectancy and patients with genetic predispositions for being at higher risk for developing other cancers.