Proton Therapy for Lung Cancer

Treat Lung Cancer With Proton Therapy

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the lungs. It is one of the most common cancers worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Lung cancer typically develops in the cells lining the air passages of the lungs, but it can also start in other lung tissues, such as the bronchi, bronchioles, or alveoli.

Lung cancer is often associated with long-term exposure to tobacco smoke; however, it’s important to note that nonsmokers can also develop lung cancer, and there are other risk factors involved, such as exposure to secondhand smoke, radon gas, asbestos, air pollution, and certain occupational exposures.

The use of proton therapy to treat lung cancer can offer several benefits compared to traditional radiation therapy:

Benefits of Proton Therapy to Treat Lung Cancer

Enhanced Treatment Effectiveness

Proton therapy allows for highly accurate targeting of tumors while minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissues and organs. This is particularly important for lung cancer, as the tumor is often located near critical structures such as the heart, esophagus and spinal cord. Proton therapy yields less dose to the circulating blood and immune cells, which can help maintain blood counts during chemoradiation compared to photon therapy. This may lead to a better ability for patients to receive immunotherapy (a critical component of lung cancer management) as prescribed in the aftermath of chemoradiation. By sparing these healthy tissues, proton therapy can potentially reduce the risk of treatment-related complications.

Reduced Risk of Side Effects

The ability of proton therapy to spare healthy lung tissue and nearby organs can lead to a lower incidence of certain side effects commonly associated with radiation treatment for lung cancer. These may include a reduced risk of radiation-induced pneumonitis (lung inflammation), post-radiation cardiac issues, and esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus). Additionally, proton therapy lowers the risk of developing secondary cancers later in life that are caused by radiation exposure, a risk that is more significant in traditional radiation therapy.

Improved Quality of Life

Because radiation can be more precisely targeted with proton therapy, the risk of side effects associated with radiation therapy, such as fatigue, skin irritation and damage to healthy tissue are decreased.

The Maryland Proton Treatment Center (MPTC) Uses Proton Therapy to Treat a Variety of Lung Cancers:

• Malignant mesothelioma
• Mediastinal tumors (thymoma and sarcoma)
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Small cell lung cancer
• Select recurrent cancer