Particle Therapy (Hadron Therapy) for Cancers, a New Weapon in Radiation Therapy
Particle therapy is a modern innovative form of external beam radiation for the treatment of cancer using high-energy neutrons, protons, or other neutral particles for cancer therapy. Currently, the most widely used form of particle therapy is proton therapy, which is used to treat many forms of cancers, including breast cancer. It uses beams of energy, generally in the gamma or beta range, which are targeted on the cancerous tumor. The neutrons and protons have the effect of destroying the cancerous tumor cells without harming healthy tissue in the body. Particle therapy has several advantages over conventional radiation therapy, including fewer side effects, better treatment tolerance, and naturalistic approach to tumor therapy.
Particle therapy also can be used to treat other cancers,
although its success rate and safety profile depend upon the particular type of
cancer that is being treated. Particle therapy also is known more technically
by the name hadron therapy, inclusive of electron and photon therapy. It is one
of the major types of clinical treatment used in the treatment of childhood and
other cancers. The first part of the treatment is preparation. This involves
placement of electrodes around the affected area, which are connected to a
machine that delivers the high-energy neutrons and protons. As the machines
deliver the energy over time, it causes the tumors to break down. Some types of
cancers respond more quickly to this type of therapy, while others may require
a series of treatments, several weeks apart. Typically, several doses of x-rays
are administered over a two week period.
However, particle therapy can be administered in a variety
of different methods. In general, the procedure involves the injection of an
antigen into a cancerous or pre-cancerous lesion. The specific type of cancer
and the type of antigen are selected to match the biological and structural
characteristics of the target tissue. The medical process, in turn, may vary
from being mechanical to chemical or from being electrical to mechanical or
even chemical. The particular application of the therapy and the process of the
therapy may be based on the type of cancer and the target tissue. Chemical
agents are generally used in conjunction with clinical studies in order to
measure the effectiveness of the therapy.
The secondary procedure follows. During this part, the
high-energy beams are directed at the cancerous areas, which are broken down
and destroyed by the neutrons. Sometimes, the secondary procedure is combined
with the primary procedure. In this case, the external beam radiotherapy is
combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy to achieve a higher success rate for
eliminating the cancer. In addition to this secondary procedure, additional
doses of x-rays may be given. However, the majority of patients receive
additional doses only.
Particle therapy can also be administered by means of
carbon-ion radiotherapy. The carbon-ion radiotherapy is similar to traditional
gamma therapy. In carbon-ion therapy, the medical dose is delivered through
inhalation. Unlike gamma therapy, the medical doses involved are not highly
concentrated, but are given in small amounts over long periods of time. Carbon
ions break down the cancerous cells and fibers, shrinking them to smooth the
surface. In some cases, the carbon ions may release the captured cancerous
cells into the atmosphere, but they are rarely observed. Carbon ion radiotherapy
is less expensive than carbon monoxide in terms of overall cost, although the
side effects from this treatment are less severe.
Particle therapy for cancer has a lot to offer, however more
research is needed to fully understand all the pros and cons associated with
ionized particles.
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