Breast Cancer

Proton Therapy Treatment for Breast Cancer

The breast cancer tumor usually occurs in the lobules and ducts of the breast, which are used in the production and delivery of breast milk. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women aside from skin cancer. Men are also susceptible to breast cancer, although the disease is rare among males.

As with other cancers, the best possible outcomes for breast cancer treatment come through early breast cancer care.Proton therapy has unique attributes that reduce radiation exposure to normal, healthy organs.^1,2 This is especially important in left-sided breast cancer, as the cancer is close to critical organs such as the heart and the lungs.

Clinical Investigation-Partial Breast Radiation With Proton Beam: 5-Year Results With Cosmetic Outcomes

¹  MacDonald S, Specht M, Isakoff S, et al. Prospective pilot study of proton radiation therapy for invasive carcinoma of the breast following mastectomy in patients with unfavorable anatomy – first reported clinical experience. Int J Radiat Oncol. 2012;84(Suppl 3):S113-S114. Abstract 281

 ²  Moon SH, Shin KH, Kim TH, et al. Dosimetric comparison of four different external beam partial breast irradiation techniques: three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, helical tomotherapy, and proton beam therapy. Radiother Oncol. 2009;90:66-73.

Proton therapy may be an option if you:

Have stage lll breast cancer 

Have other risk factors that indicate the inclusion of lymph node irradiation 

Will be receiving cardiotoxic chemotherapy 

Have preexisting vascular comorbidity, cardiac disease, lung disease, or increased risk of developing a secondary malignancy 

Have unfavorable anatomy that places normal organs at elevated risk of radiation exposure