Proton Therapy for Reirradiation
If you have ever received radiation therapy to treat a past cancer, traditional x-ray radiation may not be recommended. This is because the body’s healthy cells can only tolerate a small amount of radiation over a lifetime. Too much radiation damages healthy tissues.
Because proton therapy offers precise tumor targeting, physicians can limit the amount of radiation that healthy tissues near the tumor receive. This means that physicians can treat tumors more aggressively, with higher doses of radiation, without higher risk.
If your tumor has grown back (recurrence), aggressive treatment is often the best course of action. Proton therapy puts radiation back on the table as a treatment option for recurrent tumors.
Why choose proton therapy?
Proton therapy can be used to re-treat almost any disease site with radiation (called re-irradiation). Proton beams stop at the tumor site and do not continue to travel through the rest of the body. This means that physicians can limit the radiation dose nearby healthy tissues receive.
Understanding the Proton Therapy Treatment Process
At the Maryland Proton Treatment Center, every reirradiation treatment plan is customized to your unique diagnosis and health needs. We aim to deliver highly targeted care while supporting your comfort and well-being.
Here’s what you can expect:
Initial Consultation: During your initial consultation, you will meet with our expert team, including a radiation oncologist, to review your medical history and determine if proton therapy is right for you. Our radiation oncologists are trained to deliver radiation in a variety of modalities, which means they can discuss all radiation options to ensure you are comfortable with your care plan. If proton therapy is right for you, our billing department will help find out if your insurance covers proton therapy.
CT Simulation and Treatment Planning: We use advanced imaging to map your tumor and design a precise, personalized plan. These scans help us prepare your body position to ensure accurate proton therapy treatment.
Daily Treatment: Proton therapy begins within two weeks of the simulation. These outpatient sessions are typically 30 minutes, five days a week, with most patients returning to daily activities right after. The length of treatment depends on your specific treatment plan but generally lasts three to eight weeks.
Completion: Upon completing your last treatment, you will ring the bell at the “Ring in Hope” wall, a symbol that closes the door on this chapter of life and opens the door to a healthy future.
Follow-Up and Ongoing Monitoring: Within a month of your final treatment, you will come back for a follow-up visit to track your progress. Following that, imaging and regular check-ins help us further track your progress and make any needed adjustments.
Patient Experience
MPTC patient Corinne Hanooman was treated with proton therapy for a recurrent gynecological cancer. Watch her story in the video above.
Learn more about proton therapy
Request a consultation below to learn if proton therapy might benefit you. Our physicians will work with you and your care team to create your personalized treatment plan.
For Providers
Please complete our contact form if you are interested in the following:
- Referring a patient to MPTC
- Having a Physician Liaison organize a presentation at your office
- Scheduling a tour of the facility
- You may also call us directly at 410-369-5227
- Having an MPTC physician present in an upcoming CME
- Receiving a list of MPTC clinical trials that are accepting patients
- You may also call us directly at 410-369-5353
