Proton Beam Therapy

What is proton beam therapy?

Proton beam therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses targeted proton beams to deliver radiation therapy. It is different to conventional radiation therapy, which treats cancer using high-energy x-rays, and reduces the amount of radiation to surrounding healthy tissue compared to other types of radiation therapy – minimising the risk of short and long-term side effects.

How is proton beam therapy delivered?

Proton beam therapy is delivered using Pencil Beam Scanning, which precisely targets cancerous tumours using narrow beams of protons (only a few millimetres wide). The treatment is personalised to the shape of each tumour, with the intensity of protons carefully controlled to accurately deliver a concentrated dose to the cancer.

Proton beam therapy typically involves daily treatments every work day across several weeks, with each session taking around 30 minutes. Depending on the type of cancer you have, in some cases proton therapy treatment can be delivered in as little as five sessions.

Benefits of proton beam therapy

As proton beam therapy is highly-targeted, it has a number of benefits compared to conventional radiation therapy and other treatments for cancer. These include:

Ability to treat complex tumours – For example, those in challenging areas of the body, such as the brain, head and neck, lung or spine, or that have returned after initial treatment
Reduced short and long-term side effects – Proton beam therapy is tailored to directly target the tumour at the precise depth within the body, while only delivering a very small amount of radiation to surrounding healthy tissue. This decreases the impact on the body during treatment, reducing the risk of short and long-term side effects
Personalised treatment – As the narrow proton beam precisely targets tumours, a more concentrated dose of radiation can be delivered in comparison to conventional radiation therapy – ensuring you receive the most effective treatment for your cancer

What conditions can proton beam therapy be used for?

Proton beam therapy is an effective treatment for early stage and locally advanced solid tumours in both adults and children.

Cancers that can be treated with proton beam therapy in Singapore currently:

Bone cancer
Brain cancer
Head and neck cancer
Liver cancer
Lymphoma
Oesophageal cancer
Prostate cancer
Soft tissue sarcoma
Cancers requiring concurrent chemoradiation therapy

For patients who are younger than 25 years old, the following cancers can be treated with proton beam therapy:

Brain tumours
Lymphoma
Glioma
Sarcomas such as chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, pelvic sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma
Neuroblastoma
Retinoblastoma
Salivary gland cancer

Preparing for proton beam therapy

If proton beam therapy is a suitable treatment option for your cancer, you will receive treatment at a centre which specialises in proton beam therapy.

Before you begin treatment, your oncologist will work with your care team to plan your proton beam therapy. This is similar to how you would prepare for conventional radiation therapy and involves a CT scan as part of a planning session, which helps your doctor directly target the proton beam to your tumour. Your care team will also use the planning session to ensure your body is in the exact same position for every treatment. This may involve the use of special immobilisation devices such as a custom mask.

Remember to bring any important documents with you to your first appointment, such as your identity card, medical reports and medication list. Your care team will also discuss what to expect during your treatment and any side effects you may experience.

Frequently asked questions about proton beam therapy

Conventional radiation therapy uses photons (x-rays) or electrons to treat cancer and delivers a continuous radiation dose from the moment it enters the body until after it has passed through the tumour and leaves the body. Although advancements in conventional radiation therapy technology continue to reduce the risk of radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, proton beam therapy provides a more targeted approach which further decreases the impact on the body.
Unlike conventional radiation therapy, proton beam therapy uses highly charged particles known as protons to destroy cancer cells. As the proton beam is very narrow, it delivers less radiation when it enters the body and the radiation dose stops at the tumour. This means significantly less radiation is absorbed by healthy tissue, reducing the risk of short and long-term side effects.
Although proton beam therapy reduces the risk of treatment-related side effects, you may still experience some short or long-term side effects depending on the area of the body being treated. Your care team will help you prepare by discussing any side effects you may experience and will support you throughout treatment to manage any side effects you develop. These may include:
- Loss of hair in the area being treated
- Fatigue
- Skin reactions in the area being treated, including redness, blistering, swelling, irritation and dryness
Proton beam therapy is not painful. It is a non-invasive treatment which directly targets the cancerous tumour within your body while sparing healthy tissue, reducing side effects and allowing you to continue your daily life.
Some integrated shield plans provide coverage for proton beam therapy. Please check with your insurer for more details.