Proton therapy for treatment of advanced Cancer

Minimal radiation risk of secondary cancers, less side effects and toxicity

- 

Dr. Ivan Tham, says Proton therapy, is a form of radiation therapy that utises protons to precisely target and destroy cancer cell. Unlihe tradional radiation therapy, which uses X-rays, proton beam therapy allows for more accurate targetting of tumors while minimising damage to sorrounding health tissues. This method makes it particulary effective for treating different types of cancers.

Dr. Ivan Tham Weng Keong, a Senior Consultant and Radiation Oncologist at Parkway Cancer Centre in Singapore was in Sri Lanka recently. He has special interests in head and neck cancers, lung cancer, haematological malignancies and general radiation oncology.

In an interview with the "Sunday Island 'Dr. Ivan Tham gave us a glimpse of his role as a radiation oncologist on Proton Therapy cancer treatments and tumor targets to optimise the best way to direct the radiation to a particular cancerous tumours.

What is proton therapy and how is it different from standard therapy?

In standard radiation therapy, we use Xrays to target the tumour in the body. Typically, we use multiple angles so that radiation dose will be concentrated in the tumour. This work well in some patients. However in this case, the surrounding areas will receive some radiation, whereas in proton therapy, we are able to programme the proton beams to a certain depth in the body, just deep enough to treat the tumour without overshooting. This reduces to minimise side effects.on the patient

Are there specific cancers that are best treated using proton therapy?

Broadly speaking young patients are highly benefitted. Patients with large or deep tumors will benefit more from proton therapy compared to other ferms of radiation treatment young patients below 25 generally have long term radiation side effects compared to adults.