J Korean Med Assoc.  2008 Jul;51(7):638-642. 10.5124/jkma.2008.51.7.638.

Proton Beam Therapy

• Kim DY
• Park SY

• KMID: 2185914
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2008.51.7.638

Abstract

Proton is quite different from x-ray in terms of energy emission. As it enters a cancer patient's body through skin and tissue, it releases a relatively low dose of energy before it reaches the target. It, however, hits the targeted tumor by depositing the biggest dose of energy on it, then suddenly stopping its activity afterwards. The point where the highest energy is released is called as the Bragg peak. The proton beam has many advantages over the conventional x-ray beam because the proton beam radiates primarily the tumor site, leaving the surrounding healthy tissue and organs totally unharmed or relatively less damaged. Thus, the patients can enjoy much more enhanced quality-of-life during and after the treatment as well as have a high probability to be cured from their diseases.

Keyword

Proton; Bragg peak; X-ray

MeSH Terms

Humans
Proton Therapy
Protons
Skin
Protons

Figure

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  Figure 1 Dose distribution of proton beam and x-ray.

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  Figure 2 Computer planning of proton therapy for patient with hepatocellular carcinoma. The normal liver volume irradiated with x-ray beam (upper) is much larger than proton beam (lower).

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  Figure 3 Comparison between conventional x-ray therapy and proton therapy for whole spinal irradiation.

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  Figure 4 Graphic structural design of Proton Therapy Center in National Cancer Center (Goyang, Korea), which is composed of cyclotron, beam transport system, two rotating gantry and one fixed beam rooms.

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