Three Benefits of Proton Therapy for Specific Tumors and Cancers

The Emory Proton Therapy Center is the only proton therapy center in Georgia and one of 30 in the nation, putting the most advanced radiation tools in the hands of our highly specialized and experienced Winship clinical teams. Proton therapy, a type of radiation treatment delivering radiation with proton particles rather than X-rays (photons), provides many benefits.

• Proton therapy delivers radiation directly to the tumor, decreasing the amount of radiation to healthy and normal tissues. This reduces risks of short-term and long-term side effects with a goal of improved quality of life.
• With potentially fewer side effects, proton therapy may be delivered at higher curative doses to particular cancers or tumors.
• Pediatric patients receiving proton therapy may experience significantly reduced risks of secondary tumors developing, and lowered risks of heart or lung disease, hormone problems, hearing loss, and other side effects.

Proton therapy can be useful in treating many different types of cancer, including:

• Abdominal cancer, including liver cancer and pancreatic cancer
• Bone tumors
• Brain and spine tumors
• Breast cancer, especially left-sided breast cancer and lymph nodes near the heart
• Head and neck cancers, including cancers on the tongue, tonsil, sinus cavity, and larynx
• Lymphoma
• Pediatric (childhood) cancer
• Pelvic cancer, especially rectal cancer and anal cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Thoracic cancers, including esophageal and lung cancers
• Sarcomas