What is proton beam therapy and for what is it used?

Proton beam therapy is a form of radiation that can be used for the treatment of various solid tumors, including liver cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma, HCC). This technique is able to deliver high doses of radiation to a defined local area. The ideal HCC patient for this treatment has only a small (<5 cm) solitary lesion (tumor).

How is proton beam therapy done?

To have this procedure done, the patient actually is fitted with a body cast so that he or she can be placed in the identical position for each session. Therapy is conducted daily for 15 days.

How effective is this therapy in treating liver cancer?

There are not much data yet regarding the efficacy of this treatment in liver cancer. Preliminary data from the U.S. suggest similar effectiveness as seen with TACE (chemoembolization) or ablation (radiofrequency or alcohol) for the treatment of HCC. It is not known, however, whether this type of radiation treatment prolongs the life of the patient.

To read more about Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), please read the MedicineNet.com Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma) article.

Medical Author: Tse-Ling Fong, M.D.
Medical Editor: Leslie J. Schoenfield, M.D., Ph.D.

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