Proton Therapy: Advanced Cancer Treatment at Hackensack Meridian Health
Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy that uses energy from positively charged particles called protons to target and treat tumors. Unlike standard x-ray radiation, protons deliver radiation to a specific depth in the body and then stop, allowing for precise control. This ensures that most of the radiation is concentrated directly in the tumor, minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
Compared to x-ray radiation, proton therapy reduces radiation to healthy tissue by up to 60%, making it particularly effective for tumors located near critical organs such as the brain, heart, or spinal cord.
Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy
At Hackensack Meridian Health, we offer the most advanced form of proton therapy known as Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) Proton Therapy. This technique uses an ultra-narrow proton beam to precisely "paint" the tumor with radiation, further minimizing exposure to healthy tissue and reducing the risk of side effects.Proton therapy is an effective treatment option for a wide range of cancers and non-cancerous tumors, particularly those located near vital organs. It may be recommended for patients with:
- Brain tumor
- Breast cancer
- Gastrointestinal cancers
- Head and neck tumors
- Lung cancer
- Lymphomas
- Pediatric tumors
- Previously irradiated tissues
- Prostate cancer
- Sarcoma
- Testicular cancer
- Tumors near the spine
Your care team will determine if proton therapy is the best option based on the specific characteristics of your tumor.
Proton Therapy for Children
Children are especially vulnerable to the side effects of x-ray radiation due to their growing bodies. Proton therapy is often recommended for pediatric cancers because it reduces the risk of long-term side effects, such as developmental issues and secondary tumors, compared to traditional radiation therapies.
Before starting proton therapy, your radiation oncologist will use imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, or PET scans to map the tumor and surrounding healthy tissues. This ensures precise targeting of the tumor while protecting nearby healthy tissue.
Each proton therapy session typically lasts about 30 minutes. Most of this time is spent ensuring you are in the correct position for treatment, while the actual radiation delivery takes just a few minutes, similar to receiving an x-ray.
Your radiation oncologist will provide details on the frequency and duration of treatments, which will vary based on your specific needs.
Patients at John Theurer Cancer Center and affiliate locations across Hackensack Meridian Health receive proton therapy at ProCure NJ.
ProCure NJ
103 Cedar Grove Lane
Somerset, NJ 08873
Dr. Timothy H. Chen, a fellowship-trained radiation oncologist, specializes in the use of proton therapy to treat a wide variety of cancers. Patients benefit from his expertise in delivering precise, cutting-edge cancer treatments.
