Proton Therapy for Gastrointestinal Cancers

The esophagus is in a hard location to treat, both for surgery and for radiation. It is in front of the spine, behind the heart and between the left and right lungs. When we use radiation to treat esophageal cancer, it is important to deliver enough radiation to the cancer without damaging the normal organs around the esophagus. Proton radiation for esophageal cancer can help normal organs get less radiation, and studies show that it may lead to fewer side effects from radiation treatment.    

Radiation therapy is an important treatment option for liver cancer patients, but the liver is a delicate organ that can be harmed by radiation, especially in patients who already have liver problems. Proton therapy is a highly targeted form of radiation that helps protect healthy liver tissue while sending an effective dose of radiation directly to the tumor. By minimizing damage to the rest of the liver, proton therapy can reduce side effects and make treatment safer.

Patients who have pancreatic cancer only in their pancreas, or people who have recently had surgery to remove their pancreatic cancer, may be helped by radiation therapy. Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy that can reduce the radiation dose to your kidneys, liver, spinal cord and bowel. This lowers the risk of side effects like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. 

Proton therapy can be especially helpful for patients with gastrointestinal cancers who need radiation treatment in an area that has already had radiation in the past. Because proton therapy delivers radiation to one exact place, it can target the tumor while sending less radiation to nearby healthy tissue. This is important because the nearby tissue may have already been affected by past treatment. Proton therapy allows us to treat recurrent (tumors that have come back) or new tumors in sensitive areas more safely. It gives patients another chance to have effective treatment with a lower risk of side effects.

Radiation therapy is an important part of treatment for patients with cancers in the pelvis, like rectal and anal cancers. These cancers are found near healthy tissue like the small and large intestines, bladder, bone marrow and reproductive organs. Proton therapy may be able to lower radiation exposure to these nearby organs and help reduce side effects like diarrhea, urinary problems, abnormal blood counts and sexual dysfunction.