What Is Proton Therapy? Proton therapy is an advanced type of radiation therapy used to treat some cancers. Its precise delivery of radiation to the tumor site means there is less risk of damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Why Is Proton Therapy Done? Proton therapy (also called proton beam therapy) is most commonly used to shrink solid tumors that have not spread to other parts of the body. It's an effective treatment for many childhood cancers, including: brain tumors sarcomas (cancers that grow in connective tissue ) tumors in the head, neck, eyes, and spinal cord lymphomas (cancers that affect lymph nodes) Proton therapy is sometimes used along with other cancer treatments, such as standard radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. How Does Proton Therapy Work? Proton therapy uses protons (positively charged particles) instead of X-rays. A special machine speeds up the protons. These high-energy protons can get rid of cancer cells, which makes tumors shrink. Protons are easier to get to a specific location than the X-rays used in standard radiation therapy. How Is Proton Therapy Different From Radiation Therapy? The X-ray beams used in standard radiation therapy go beyond the tumor area, sending radiation to healthy areas. This may damage healthy tissue or organs near the tumor. Proton energy sends higher doses of radiation to the exact tumor site. This helps doctors control and manage cancer while greatly reducing damage to healthy tissue and vital organs. What Should We Expect From Proton Therapy? Proton therapy treatment usually takes about 6–8 weeks, with daily weekday visits that last about 30–45 minutes. Most of the time is spent getting the child into the right position for the treatment. Proton therapy treatment is painless, and doesn't require a hospital stay. Children under 6 years old might need to get general anesthesia to keep them completely still during the treatment. Are There Any Risks From Proton Therapy? Because proton therapy targets cancer cells so precisely, it's an excellent treatment option for children with some types of cancer. There's less damage to healthy, developing cells, so there are fewer side effects. This also minimizes late effects — these are long-term side effects, such as learning disabilities, hearing loss, and other problems. When side effects during therapy do happen, they are usually very mild and can include: tiredness skin irritation hair loss at the treatment site What Else Should I Know? Proton therapy is not available at all cancer treatment centers because it uses very expensive specialized equipment. If doctors recommend proton therapy for your child, be sure to talk with your insurance provider to see what is covered. Back to Articles Related Articles Childhood Cancer Different kinds of childhood cancer have different signs, symptoms, treatments, and outcomes. But today, most kids with cancer get better. Read More Late Effects of Cancer and Cancer Treatment Long-term side effects, or late effects, happen to many cancer survivors. With early diagnosis and proper follow-up care, most late effects can be treated or cured. Read More Coping With Cosmetic Effects of Cancer Treatment It's normal for kids to have hair loss, skin changes, or weight gain during treatment. This article offers tips for helping kids feel better about their appearance. Read More Effects of Cancer Treatment on Fertility While some cancer treatments have little to no effect on reproductive health, others are more likely cause temporary or permanent infertility. Read More Cancer Center From treatments and prevention to coping with the emotional aspects of cancer, the Cancer Center provides comprehensive information that parents need. Read More Cancer Center Visit our Cancer Center for teens to get information and advice on treating and coping with cancer. Read More Cancer Center Cancer is a serious illness that needs special treatment. Find out more about how kids can cope with cancer. Read More Hepatoblastoma Hepatoblastoma is a rare type of cancer that affects the liver but rarely spreads beyond it. Most cases are in children younger than 3. Read More Liver Tumors Tumors happen when cells form a mass or growth. Liver tumors can be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Read More Cancer Basics Get the basics on cancer and cancer treatments in this article. Read More Dealing With Cancer It's unusual for teens to have cancer, but it can happen. The good news is that most will survive and return to their everyday lives. Learn about how to cope if you or someone you know has cancer. Read More Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, irradiation, or X-ray therapy, is one of the most common forms of cancer treatment. Read More Radiation Therapy More than half of all people with cancer are treated with radiation therapy. Get the facts on radiation therapy, including what it is, what to expect, and how to cope with side effects. Read More Side Effects of Chemotherapy and Radiation Side effects of cancer treatment can include flu-like symptoms, hair loss, and blood clotting problems. After treatment ends, most side effects go away. Read More Brain and Nervous System Cancers These cancers are the most common type of cancer in children. When discovered early, they often can be cured. Read More Brain Tumors Brain tumors are the second most common group of childhood cancers. Treatment requires a very specialized plan involving a team of medical specialists. Read More Chemotherapy Chemotherapy is a big word for treatment with medicines used to help people who have cancer. This medicine kills the cancer cells that are making the person sick. Read More Chemotherapy Chemotherapy (chemo) is treatment with medicines that stop the growth of cancer cells. Find out how chemo works and what to expect when getting treatment. Read More Chemotherapy Chemotherapy (chemo) is treatment with medicines that stop the growth of cancer cells. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.