Treating Lung Cancer with Proton Therapy

Excess radiation to the healthy tissue surrounding a tumor can increase the risk of side effects. This is a major concern when it comes to radiation treatment for lung cancer because the cancer may be close to your heart, healthy lung, esophagus, and other critical organs. The unique properties of protons allow proton radiation to better conform to the tumor, reducing radiation to the healthy tissues and organs around it.

Proton therapy offers:

• Similar efficacy to other forms of radiation^2,3
• Less unnecessary radiation to your heart, lung, and esophagus⁴
• Significantly lower rates of pneumonitis and esophagitis (less inflammation of the lungs and esophagus) compared to X-ray radiation [3-D conformal radiation therapy (CRT) and Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)]³

The image on the right shows the amount of radiation that the body receives during treatment for stage III NSCLC with proton therapy in comparison to X-ray/IMRT treatment. Colors indicate areas of the body that received radiation. Compared to IMRT, proton therapy significantly reduced the dose of radiation to surrounding tissue, especially the heart and the healthy lung.

The data in support of proton therapy and its unique advantages continues to grow. In a study with stage III NSCLC patients, proton therapy is estimated to reduce 34 percent of radiation to the heart and 45 percent to the healthy lung when compared to IMRT.⁴ A separate study from M.D. Anderson demonstrated that proton therapy had better than expected median survivorship, lower local recurrence, and improved side effects compared to historical controls.³ Comparison across studies evaluating high dose X-ray radiation and high dose proton radiation for locally advanced lung cancer suggests better treatment tolerability as well as outcomes with proton therapy.^2,5

Based on the data, the Proton Center has identified intrathoracic tumors, particularly lung cancers, as an area of where proton therapy can be a tremendous benefit for our patients. Since its inception, our center has treated intrathoracic tumors including many challenging primary and recurrent lung cancers. As our multidisciplinary thoracic oncology program continues to grow, we look forward to providing this leading-edge treatment to many more patients.

Proton therapy is considered safe, non-invasive and painless. Depending on the patient's diagnosis, treatments are usually given five days a week. Stage I lung cancer is typically treated over two weeks with anywhere from five to 12 treatments. For stage II and III lung cancer, the course of treatment is six to seven weeks with 30-35 sessions.

Patients continue with normal activities before and after treatment. Some patients choose to work; others go on a “radiation vacation” and spend their days doing recreational activities before or after treatment.

You should consider proton therapy if you:

• Have locally advanced lung cancer
• Need concurrent chemotherapy
• Have had prior radiation therapy
• Have limited or poor pulmonary function