Proton therapy - Mayo Clinic
COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options
Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version.This content does not have an Arabic version. Search Request an Appointment Find a Doctor Find a Job Give Now Log in to Patient Account English Español العربية 简体中文 Twitter Facebook Pinterest YouTube Menu Request an Appointment Patient Care & Health Information Tests & Procedures Proton therapy
Print Overview
Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy - a treatment that uses high-powered energy to treat cancer and some noncancerous tumors. Radiation therapy using X-rays has long been used to treat these conditions. Proton therapy is a newer type of radiation therapy that uses energy from positively charged particles (protons). Proton therapy has shown promise in treating several kinds of cancer. Studies have suggested that proton therapy may cause fewer side effects than traditional radiation, since doctors can better control where the proton beams deliver their energy. But few studies have compared proton radiation and X-ray radiation, so it's not clear whether proton therapy is more effective at prolonging lives. Proton therapy isn't widely available, although new proton therapy centers are being built in the United States and in other countries. Products & Services
Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer CenterSign up for Email: Get Your Free Resource – Coping with CancerShow more products from Mayo Clinic Why it s done
Proton therapy is used as a treatment for cancer and some noncancerous tumors. Proton therapy may be used as the only treatment for your condition. Or it may be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery and chemotherapy. Proton therapy may also be used if the cancer remains or comes back after traditional X-ray radiation. Proton therapy is sometimes used to treat: Brain tumors Breast cancer Cancer in children Eye melanoma Esophageal cancer Head and neck cancers Liver cancer Lung cancer Lymphoma Pancreatic cancer Pituitary gland tumors Prostate cancer Sarcoma Tumors affecting the spine Tumors in the base of the skull Clinical trials are investigating proton therapy as a treatment for several other types of cancer. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Risks
Proton therapy can cause side effects as the cancer cells die or when the energy from the proton beam damages healthy tissue near the tumor. Because doctors can better control where proton therapy releases its highest concentration of energy, it's believed to affect less healthy tissue and have fewer side effects than traditional radiation therapy. Still, proton therapy does release some of its energy in healthy tissue. The side effects you experience will depend on which part of your body is being treated and the dose of proton therapy you receive. In general, common side effects of proton therapy include: Fatigue Hair loss around the part of your body being treated Skin redness around the part of your body being treated Soreness around the part of your body being treated How you prepare
Before you undergo proton therapy, your health care team guides you through a planning process to ensure that the proton beam reaches the precise spot in your body where it's needed. Planning typically includes: Determining the best position for you during treatment. During radiation simulation, your radiation therapy team works to find a comfortable position for you during treatment. It's important that you lie still during treatment, so finding a comfortable position is vital. To do this, you'll be positioned on a table that will be used during your treatment. Cushions and restraints are used to place you in the correct position and to help you hold still. Your radiation therapy team will mark the area of your body that will receive the radiation. You may receive a temporary marker or permanent tattoos. Planning the path of the protons with imaging tests. You may undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scans to determine the area of your body to be treated and how best to reach it with the proton beams. Consider the cost
Not all insurance policies cover proton therapy. When considering your treatment options, work with your health insurance provider to understand the costs that are covered by insurance and which costs you'll be expected to pay. What you can expect
During proton therapy
You typically undergo proton therapy five days a week for several weeks. However, in some situations, you may undergo only one or a few treatments, depending on your condition. The actual proton therapy treatment may take only a few minutes but expect to spend 30 to 45 minutes preparing before each treatment session. You may also undergo weekly CT scans to see if the dose you receive needs to be recalculated based on changes in weight, or tumor size and shape. To prepare, you'll be positioned on a table. Cushions and restraints will be used to hold your body still. Then you'll undergo an imaging test, such as an X-ray or CT scan, to make sure your body is in the same precise position before each treatment. Your radiation therapy team will then leave the room and go to an area where they can monitor you. They can still see and hear you. Proton therapy is administered with a machine called a gantry that directs the proton beams at precise points on your body. You'll hear the machine when it's turned on and delivering the dose of proton therapy. However, you won't be able to feel the radiation during your treatment. After proton therapy
Once your treatment session is complete, you can go about your day. You won't be radioactive or give off radiation. Side effects of proton therapy usually develop over time. You may experience few side effects at first. But after several treatments you may experience fatigue, which can make it feel like your usual activities take more energy or that you have little energy for everyday tasks. You may also notice a sunburn-like skin redness in the area where the proton beams are directed. Results
Your doctor may recommend periodic imaging tests during and after your proton therapy to determine whether your cancer is responding to the treatments. Clinical trials
Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. The Mayo Clinic experience and patient stories
Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced. See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients. Given a shot to beat an aggressive cancer
Near the end of 2021, Lisa Hocking developed symptoms of head congestion, sinus pressure and headaches. After taking antibiotics for what was thought to be sinusitis didn't ease her symptoms, she underwent a CT. The CT revealed a mass that extended from her sinuses through the base of her skull adjacent to her brain. With the revelation of this complex diagnosis, Lisa realized that she needed an advanced care center to guide her. After witnessing… Surprise wedding shower 1 000 miles from home
Every day, people receive cancer care in the Albert J. and Judith A. Dunlap Cancer Center at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. While administering chemo, radiation or preparing a patient for surgery, the care team is quick to provide a listening ear, warm hugs, blankets and caring smiles for patients. In July, the care team happily took on another task: a surprise wedding shower for a special patient, Thresa Pattee. Thresa traveled over 1,000 miles… By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Doctors & Departments Aug. 31, 2021 Print Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references Greenberger BA, et al. The role of proton therapy in pediatric malignancies: Recent advances and future directions. Seminars in Oncology. 2020; doi:10.1053/j.seminoncol.2020.02.002. LaRiviere MJ, et al. Proton therapy. Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America. 2019; doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2019.08.006. Rackwitz T, et al. Clinical applications of proton and carbon ion therapy. Seminars in Oncology. 2019; doi:10.1053/j.seminoncol.2019.07.005. Proton therapy. Radiological Society of North America. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=protonthera. Accessed April 15, 2021. Mitin T. Radiation therapy techniques in cancer treatment. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed April 15, 2021. Ofuya M, et al. Systematic review of methodology used in clinical studies evaluating the benefits of proton beam therapy. 2019; doi:10.1016/j.ctro.2019.07.002. Tsang DS. Proton beam therapy for cancer. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2019; doi: 10.1503/cmaj.190008. Flint PW, et al., eds. Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: Radiation physics, radiobiology and clinical principles. In: Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 15, 2021. Frank SJ, et al., eds. Principles of proton beam therapy. In: Proton Therapy. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed April 15, 2021. Fabiano S, et al. Combined proton-photon treatments - A new approach to proton therapy without a gantry. Radiotherapy and Oncology. 2020; doi:10.1016/j.radonc.2019.12.013. Forsthoefel MK, et al. Early experience of the first single-room gantry mounted active scanning proton therapy system at an integrated cancer center. Frontiers in Oncology. 2020; doi:10.3389/fonc.2020.00861. Foote RL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. May 9, 2021. Related
Craniopharyngioma Eye melanoma Head and neck cancers Infographic: Proton Beam Brain Tumor Liver cancer Lung cancer Pancreatic cancer Pediatric brain tumors Pituitary tumors Prostate cancer Proton Beam Therapy Spinal cord tumor Show more related content News from Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Proton beam therapy offers benefits to patients with breast cancer Oct. 25, 2022, 12:32 p.m. CDT Upper Midwest Emmys recognize Mayo Clinic for storytelling excellence Oct. 17, 2022, 03:00 p.m. CDT $100 million gift from Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation to expand Mayo Clinic's proton beam therapy services in Minnesota Oct. 10, 2022, 02:59 p.m. CDT Against the odds Sept. 29, 2022, 11:00 a.m. CDT Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Raising awareness of childhood cancer Sept. 16, 2022, 01:00 p.m. CDT Prostate cancer: screening and treatment Sept. 15, 2022, 03:00 p.m. CDT Expert Alert: Proton beam therapy for bone cancer spares surrounding tissue July 13, 2022, 04:00 p.m. CDT Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Proton beam therapy spares surrounding tissue when treating bone cancer July 05, 2022, 01:29 p.m. CDT 'She has big things ahead of her.' CAR-T cell therapy gives Florida teen hope April 06, 2022, 04:30 p.m. CDT 3-year-old takes on rare cancer with a little help from his friends July 29, 2021, 04:00 p.m. CDT Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Breast cancer radiotherapy and treatment innovations April 30, 2021, 01:09 p.m. CDT Proton therapy induces biologic response to attack treatment-resistant cancers Feb. 17, 2021, 03:32 p.m. CDT Show more news from Mayo Clinic Products & Services
Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center Sign up for Email: Get Your Free Resource – Coping with Cancer Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota and Mayo Clinic in Phoenix Scottsdale Arizona have been recognized among the top Cancer hospitals in the nation for 2022-2023 by U S News & World Report
Learn more about this top honor Proton therapy
AboutDoctors & Departments Advertisement
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Press
Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book PRC-20185454 Patient Care & Health Information Tests & Procedures Proton therapy