Brain and Spinal Cord

By using Proton Beam radiation in these cases allows the special radiation to be targeted to the tumor while minimizes radiation to healthy tissue and other critical structures in the brain and spine. As with all other proton therapy treatments the goal is to minimize the dose to adjacent normal structures minimizing treatment related complications. Pediatric patients may benefit the most from such treatments because of the potential harm to growing organs and bones from receiving conventional radiation therapy alone.

Radiation Therapy with Standard X-Rays and Protons
For certain tumors of the brain, radiation is given to the back of the brain (posterior fossa). With standard radiation there is incidental dose given to healthy brain tissue surrounding the tumor. An example of this is the cochlea, the organ in the middle ear that is responsible for bringing sound into the ear through the nerves. Injury to the cochlea can have the potential long-term effect of hearing loss. One benefit of proton therapy is the ability to shape the radiation so that less dose is delivered to the cochlea.

See Enlarged Image	See Enlarged Image