Questions and answers about proton therapy at Penn Medicine
If you or a loved one has received a cancer diagnosis, you’ll have questions as you make decisions about your proton therapy treatment. The cancer specialists at Penn Medicine are here to offer help and support, and to answer your questions.
This proton therapy FAQ answers the most common questions our patients have about proton therapy.
Penn Medicine brings together a team of nationally recognized cancer experts from several fields of cancer medicine to provide you with exceptional proton therapy treatment. Our highly trained specialists include radiation oncologists, nurses, physicists, dosimetrists (who determine radiation dosages), and radiation therapists. This care team conducts an evaluation, develops an individualized treatment plan, delivers the proton therapy treatment, and provides follow-up care after your treatment is complete.
We often combine proton therapy with other cancer treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and other types of radiation therapy. Proton therapy typically allows us to administer a higher radiation dose to the tumor without damaging nearby healthy tissue. For this reason, we can often develop more effective combinations of treatments while minimizing side effects.
To create your treatment plan, your radiation oncologist works closely with surgical oncologists (cancer surgeons), medical oncologists, and other experts. Together, the team evaluates your individual health needs to decide whether the plan will include proton therapy alone or be used with other treatments.
The United States Food and Drug Administration approved proton therapy in 2001, and it is widely accepted by physicians, government agencies, and many health insurers. In the United States, proton therapy has been studied in research and clinical trials since the 1950s. It was first used in a hospital setting in 1990 to treat patients with cancer.
Our radiation oncologists are at the forefront of research to find new ways to use proton therapy in cancer treatment. Physicians and other radiation specialists come from around the world to learn about proton therapy from our experts.
You may bring items to your proton therapy treatment sessions to make you more comfortable, including:
- Electronic devices like cell phones and laptops
- Books, magazines, and notebooks
- Pillows and robes
Your radiation technician may ask that you leave personal items in the changing space and lockers for safekeeping.
Most people find that proton therapy sessions are pain-free. Some may feel discomfort because they must stay in one position for a while without moving.
Each proton therapy session typically takes about 30 minutes, depending on which area of your body is being treated. Most of this time is spent making sure that you are in a specific position to receive your treatment.
The actual treatment and delivery of the proton beams only takes a couple of minutes. And because it’s noninvasive and extremely precise, you’ll experience minimal side effects and complications during cancer treatment.
Proton therapy is generally painless and causes few side effects. You may experience some temporary hair loss around the treatment site. If your proton therapy treatment is combined with other cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, you may experience additional side effects.
Proton radiation has a very short life. It goes into your body, targets the tumor, and has few side effects to healthy surrounding tissue. As soon as you complete your daily treatment session, there is no risk of secondary radiation exposure to others.
Radiation affects the targeted tissue only for a short time during the therapy session. Your body poses no risk of radiation exposure to others. Any type of close physical contact, including sex, is safe.
The success of proton therapy is different for each individual and is dependent on your type of cancer, stage, and diagnosis. Your care team can discuss the details of your treatment and your prognosis.
We understand that not everyone has easy access to care at Penn Medicine. Proton therapy requires frequent, sometimes daily, sessions for up to 12 weeks. The time away from home can be lengthy if you’re not from the southeastern Pennsylvania or New Jersey regions.
If you’re from outside the area, some nearby hotels may have prearranged rates for patients at Penn Medicine. Ask your provider for more information. You may also be interested in housing options with Hosts for Hospitals. Hosts for Hospitals provides low-cost, in-home hospitality and accommodations for patients receiving medical care at Philadelphia-area hospitals and their families.
You can search the Penn Medicine clinical trials database by diagnosis, modality (proton therapy), and other criteria.
Proton therapy is ideal for treating cancer in children because it provides targeted treatment while minimizing radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissues. Less damage to healthy tissue can reduce side effects, which is critical for children because they are still growing and developing.
Children undergoing cancer treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) receive proton therapy at Penn Medicine. The care teams at Penn Medicine and CHOP work together to coordinate and deliver all aspects of a child’s cancer treatment and follow-up care. Learn more about our treatment for children in the pediatric proton therapy center.