Proton Therapy 質子放射治療

Proton therapy relies on the generation of high-energy proton beams (greater than 200 MeV). Its most important feature is that protons release the majority of their energy at a specific depth inside the body after entering the surface — a phenomenon known as the Bragg peak. This allows for the concentrated and precise delivery of radiation doses to the tumor site, significantly reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Advantages

Because protons can be precisely targeted, damage to adjacent normal tissues is minimized. As a result, many advanced medical centers around the world have invested heavily in building proton therapy facilities. In the coming years, Taiwan may become one of the countries with the highest concentration of proton therapy equipment worldwide.

According to current clinical literature, proton therapy is applicable for the following conditions:

1. Pediatric cancers:
   Compared to traditional radiation therapy, proton therapy reduces long-term side effects and the risk of secondary malignancies in children with cancer.

2. Tumors at the skull base and central nervous system:
   Proton therapy provides better protection for critical organs near the tumor, such as the brainstem, spinal cord, and optic nerves.

3. Prostate cancer:
   Studies show that proton therapy offers comparable disease control to conventional radiation therapy while reducing the incidence of urinary and rectal toxicity.

4. Thoracic or liver tumors:
   Some studies indicate that proton therapy causes less damage to lung or liver function, allowing for higher radiation doses and potentially better disease control.

5. Recurrent tumors:
   For tumors that recur after previous radiation or other treatments, proton re-irradiation can lower the risk of complications associated with a second course of radiation.