Frequently Asked Questions
We know patients have many worries after being diagnosed and tend to have a lot of questions. Making a decision about which treatment to choose depends on personal circumstances and the characteristics of the cancer. No cancer is the same and options need to be carefully considered, as every approach affects patients differently.
Here are answers to the most common questions about proton therapy. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Q: Is proton therapy painful?
A: Proton therapy is a non-invasive treatment. You won't feel any pain or heat during treatment. The treatment consists of lying on a treatment bed until treatment is over, and our staff will alert you when it’s over. Some patients even fall asleep on the treatment bed.
Q: In traditional radiotherapy, there are adverse effects such as loss of hair and appetite or vomiting. Are there any adverse effects during or after proton therapy?
A: Proton therapy has significantly reduced the severity of adverse effects in comparison to traditional radiotherapy.
Q: I am currently receiving radiotherapy. Is it possible to receive proton therapy if the cancer recurs during radiotherapy?
A: In general, we cannot provide proton therapy at the same location as radiotherapy due to the accumulation of radiation. However, if a new tumor appears at a distance from the location of the original tumor, proton therapy could be applicable.
Q: If the cancer recurs, can it be treated again?
A: Cancers can recur. In certain cases, we can provide treatment. Please contact us immediately in cases of recurrence so that we can discuss the possibility of proton therapy.
Q: At what stage of cancer can I receive proton therapy?
A: The stages at which proton therapy can be used for cancer treatment depend on the size, effect on nearby cells, stage of metastasis, and type/site of the cancer. Under international standards, cancers confined to a specific area without metastasis are classified as stage I or II. These stages are specified in the criteria for cancer treatable by proton therapy. However, even if a cancer has metastasized, if proton therapy were thought to contribute to an improvement in quality of life or to limit the progression of cancer by treating the primary or metastatic lesions, proton therapy could be an option.
Q: Is proton therapy a new type of therapy?
A: Since 1990, proton therapy has been introduced in quite a few medical facilities around the world, and as of 2015, more than 130,000 patients have been treated.
[cf. http://ptcog.web.psi.ch/Archive/pat_statistics/Patientstatistics-updateDec2015.pdf]