Frequently Asked Questions about Proton Therapy
We know that you may have a lot of questions when it comes to proton therapy. On this page, we have compiled questions we get asked most from patients.
If you cannot find the answer you are looking for on this page, please call 410-369-5200 to speak directly with an MPTC staff member.
Proton Therapy Treatment FAQ’s
The practical difference between the two therapies is the distribution and absorption of the radiation. Conventional radiation passes entirely through the patient’s body, starting off strong and getting weaker and weaker as it passes through. Consequently, the radiation from conventional therapy is absorbed by the surrounding organs in the process, which causes varying side effects dependent on the area of the body where the tumor lies.
In contrast, proton therapy stops at the site of the tumor, so it terminates cancerous cells but spares the normal, healthy surrounding tissue. Due to the accuracy of the proton beam, side effects are may be lower, providing a higher quality of life for a patient throughout their treatment and limiting long-term side effects in the future.
Proton therapy is the ideal treatment for pediatric patients, since the targeted dosage of radiation avoids much of the nearby surrounding tissue. This limits the risk of future health conditions that can arise as a result of young patients being treated with photon radiation, which impacts more of the surrounding areas.
Physicians from the Maryland Proton Treatment Center have participated in many research studies demonstrating the efficacy of proton therapy. View of list of them here.
It uses a 90-ton cyclotron to accelerate protons to two thirds the speed of light, sending them down a beamline the length of football field and into one of five treatment rooms.
Four of five of our treatment rooms feature a rotational gantry. This hidden 3-story tall machine helps move the treatment nozzle up to 360 degrees into the precise position to deliver your treatment.
The beam is delivered without sound or pain in a matter of minutes with millimeter precision.
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.
One of the primary indications for proton beam therapy is in patients who have had previous radiation therapy.
The idea that proton beams could play a role in treating cancer was proposed in 1946 by Dr. Robert Wilson, who is considered to be the “father of proton therapy”.
From the mid 1950’s on, proton treatment began for a limited number of cancers, with computing and treatment delivery technology advancing rapidly over the next 30 years.
By the 1980’s, these advancements made proton therapy a viable option for treating localized solid tumors in many areas of the body and proton treatment facilities began to open. Up until the last ~10 years however, proton therapy remained a scarce resource in our country with only certain types of tumors being treated. Over the last 10 years, more centers have opened and as a result a wider variety of cancers are now treated.
In 2016, the Maryland Proton Treatment Center opened as the first center in the region to offer proton therapy with the most advanced form of proton therapy in the world, called pencil beam scanning. We have treated over 2000 patients and counting with the most experienced team in the region.
Proton Therapy Cost FAQ’s
Proton therapy is generally covered by Medicare (non-HMO). In many cases, patients covered by Medicare supplemental insurance often incur few net-out-of-pocket expenses for treatment after deductibles, copays/coinsurance, and annual maximum payments are met.
We also work with insurance providers from around the country.
If you have questions regarding billing, please email [email protected] and a team member will respond within two business days.
Maryland Proton Treatment Center FAQ’s
Continuing the tradition of patient-centered care University of Maryland Medical Center has been practicing since its inception, we provide a comfortable and convenient treatment experience for our patients. Our concierge team will welcome and assist the patient from beginning to end of the treatment process.
Our expert team is made up of radiation oncologists, dosimetrists, medical physicists, nurses, nurse practitioners, radiation therapists, nutritionists, social workers, administrative and concierge staff. Please visit the Meet our Medical team page here to learn more!
Coming to Baltimore
For out-of-town patients, MPTC’s concierge service team offers navigation assistance to ensure distance is not an obstacle in choosing to undergo proton therapy at MPTC.
If you reside outside of the Baltimore area and will be commuting into the city for treatment, our concierge team will work with you to come up with a transportation plan to ensure you’ll have reliable transit to and from each treatment, which may include transportation provided by MPTC.
MPTC can also provide guidance on lodging at the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge or the Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore.
Downtown Baltimore has many convenient dining options for patients. Use this directory to search nearby restaurants by cuisine type.
