Fighting Brain Cancer Proton Therapy Gaining More Popularity

Fighting Brain Cancer Proton Therapy Gaining More Popularity

Health and Fitness November 22, 2017

Proton therapy for cancer atlanta

Sadly, roughly 23,800 adults and 4,830 children are diagnosed with having cancerous tumors of the sprain and spinal cord each year. Brain tumors make up the majority of those diagnoses, which is why brain cancer treatments are such an integral part of the healthcare system.


If brain cancer treatments can’t advance with the changing times, as more and more people are diagnosed with cancerous tumors, there will be even more devastating effects across the entire world. Luckily, thanks to research and advanced cancer treatment options, there is some hope for the near future. Though there is still a significant amount of work that needs to be done, the future is still a little bright.


According to Crosscut, proton therapy for brain cancer is becoming more popular thanks to advanced research.


Avery Berg was diagnosed with brain cancer just a few weeks before her 11th birthday.


She was found to have had an extremely rare cancer called atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, or AT/RT, which is most commonly found in children age three or younger.


Brain cancer treatment surgery was mandatory but the tumor would first have to be reduced through proton radiation and chemotherapy. Her family and doctors decided on proton treatments.


“We expect proton radiation to be as effective as standard X-ray radiation, but with fewer side effects,” said Dr. Ralph Ermoian, Avery?s radiation oncologist at SCCA Proton Therapy Center, “particularly long-term side effects.”


Her treatment included four weeks of standard proton therapy for head and neck cancer, followed by two weeks of proton beam therapy targeted to the tumor itself, and then six months of chemotherapy.


“We choose proton radiation therapy for treating children with brain tumors because it works equally well against tumors, but with less radiation to healthy brain, pituitary gland, thyroid gland and other tissues,” added Dr. Ermoian. “This is expected to make a difference in the long term, which is what all of us plan for when we treat patients with curable brain tumors, whether they are children or adults.”