Proton therapy

Proton therapy, also known as proton beam therapy, is a type of radiation therapy for cancer that uses high-energy protons (positively charged atoms) to damage the DNA in cancer cells and destroy them. This type of cancer treatment is noninvasive, painless, and highly accurate. By targeting the genetics of cancer cells, it destroys them and prevents them from multiplying. 

What sets proton therapy apart from other types of radiation therapy is its use of high-energy proton beams instead of x-ray beams to treat cancer. Proton beams are more precise than x-ray beams, which allows for more energy to be used to target cancer cells. Radiation oncologists can also design proton beams that exactly fit the shape and depth of a tumor, customizing the radiation to target a tumor’s unique form.

Because proton beams are tightly controlled, they can target the tissue being treated with pinpoint accuracy. This produces minimum damage to nearby healthy tissue and vital organs. This distinction makes proton therapy a good option for treating cancers that are in or close to critical areas such as the brain or heart. It can also produce fewer side effects than other radiation treatments.

The proton therapy team at Penn Medicine understands that every patient’s situation is different. We work together with you to create the right proton treatment plan and explain the proton therapy process, start to finish. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about every step in your treatment journey—from evaluation to follow-up care.

Learn more about what to expect before, during, and after proton therapy treatment

Support services for your proton radiation treatment

Penn Medicine offers a wide range of cancer support services for people receiving proton therapy treatment and their loved ones. These services provide helpful information and practical advice to help keep you comfortable and supported through your treatment and beyond.

• Hospitality assistance: We provide help with transportation, lodging, counseling, and other services from social workers who specialize in working with people who have cancer.
• Nutritional counseling: You can consult with specialized registered dietitians who design eating plans for ease of swallowing and weight management.
• Support groups with treatment alumni: Our radiation oncology department hosts a Patient Alumni Program in which current and previous patients of proton therapy and other radiation types can meet and talk about shared experiences.
• Integrative oncology: We offer integrative and alternative therapies such as acupuncture, art therapy, massage, meditation, pet therapy, reiki, and yoga that can help improve your health and well-being.

Expert proton radiation therapy at Penn Medicine

When dealing with a cancer diagnosis, it’s reassuring to know that safe, effective proton treatment is within your reach. At Penn Medicine, you’ll have access to some of the world’s foremost experts in proton therapy, a highly precise form of radiation therapy that requires delivery from experienced providers.

Qualities that set us apart include:

• Depth of experience: Our radiation oncology teams treat more than 100 patients with proton therapy every day. You benefit from the broad and deep experience they’ve gained by treating a high volume of patients.
• Exceptional expertise: Each of our proton therapy team members specializes in treating cancer in a specific area of the body. They’ve seen your type of cancer before and know how to treat it.
• Comprehensive care for children: In partnership with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), our pediatric radiation oncology team treats children who have various cancers. Your child receives proton treatment from world-class experts in childhood cancers with specialty training in pediatric care through our pediatric proton therapy program.
• Nationally recognized excellence: Penn Medicine has one of a handful of proton therapy centers in the world that is fully integrated with a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center. This designation means that our proton therapy team meets the highest standards for the most advanced cancer research. We give you access to the latest therapies, including clinical trials for treatments not available at most other cancer centers.
• Ongoing research to advance treatment: Our radiation specialists continue to conduct research that evaluates the use of proton therapy for cancers of virtually any kind. Our goal is to find more ways to use proton therapy—and make it more effective—for more cancers.