Proton therapy:
the most precise treatment for cancer
Proton therapy is revolutionizing cancer treatment with an external radiation therapy option that offers unprecedented precision. This new technology makes it possible to treat tumors more effectively and safely while minimizing side effects.
Find out why proton therapy is the most precise radiation therapy option, and how you can access this treatment.
What is proton therapy?
Proton therapy is a type of radiotherapy that directly attacks cancerous tumors without affecting neighboring tissues and organs. In most cases, the irradiation time for patients is less than 1 minute.
To attack tumors, proton therapy uses protons (particles with mass), unlike traditional radiotherapies which use photons (particles without mass, only energy). Proton therapy does not suffer alterations in its trajectory to the lesion. It has a sudden braking mechanism which allows it to deposit most of its energy in the tumor, avoiding acting beyond the targeted point.
What are the advantages of proton therapy?
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Greater precision: Protons are stopped in the tumor, avoiding unnecessary irradiation of nearby organs and healthy tissues. In addition, the technology used in medical centers of excellence, such as the Clínica Universidad de Navarra , combines CT, MRI and PET/CT to obtain morphological and metabolic images of the tumor, enabling doctors to identify its type and behavior. It is particularly useful in tumors that are difficult to access surgically or close to vital organs.
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Fewer side effects: The reduction of unnecessary radiation reduces adverse effects, making it ideal for pediatric tumors and for treating sensitive areas, such as the brain or reproductive organs.
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Local disease control: By bringing a higher biological dose to the tumor itself, treatment efficacy is improved, and the risk of recurrence is reduced.
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Technological innovation: Proton therapy uses advanced systems such as "active scanning" or Pencil Beam Scanning, which scans the tumor with sub-millimeter precision so as not to affect neighboring organs and tissues. In addition, it relies upon an integrated CT scanner that reproduces the exact location of the tumor on the day of treatment, allowing millimetric adjustments and increasing positioning precision.
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Indicated for various types of tumors: From tumors of the central nervous system to sarcomas, proton therapy offers effective solutions for both adults and children.
What are the advantages of proton therapy?
Proton therapy is the most accurate and least toxic treatment for more than 20 tumor types for pediatric and adult patients, including:
Breast
Lung
Prostate
Central nervous system
Head and neck
Sarcoma
Pediatric and gynecologic tumors
How can I access this treatment?
With VUMI® , you have access to this state-of-the-art treatment, conducted in some of the top hospitals in the world. For example, the Clínica Universidad de Navarra has Europe’s most advanced proton therapy unit. This prestigious facility also offers other state-of-the-art cancer treatments, such as immunotherapy and CAR-T.
In addition, you have access to exclusive services including:
- Preventive medical check-ups for the detection of different types of cancer, such as colon, prostate and breast cancer.
- Second medical opinion conducted by international experts.
- Coverage for state-of-the-art treatments in many of the world’s top hospitals
- Oncological examinations, medications and treatments.
- Cancer risk reduction surgery. (Read also the article "Everything you need to know about breast cancer risk-reducing surgery").
And much more!
