The Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center - Proton Treatment Options:
The Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center has three broad proton treatment options. They are:
- Proton Stereotactic Radiotherapy (PSRT)
PSRT involves treating lesions throughout the body over an extended 1-8 week course (5-40 sessions). PSRT treatment sessions are usually limited to once per day and lasting 20-40 minutes each. - Proton Stereotactic Radiosurgery (PSRS)
PSRS involves treating lesions, usually contained within the head with a high dose of radiation delivered in 1-2 sessions. PSRS treatment sessions are around one hour. - Proton Ocular Radiotherapy (PORT)
PORT treats ocular lesions contained within the eye with the radiation delivered in 2-5 sessions. PORT treatment sessions are usually limited to once per day and lasting 10-20 minutes each.
Despite having three distinct proton treatment options the general pre-treatment process follows a similar course.
- Prior to proton treatment the patient’s medical history, including imaging studies are reviewed to ensure that proton therapy is appropriate.
- It may be necessary to obtain additional tests to update the medical record.
- When a patient is accepted for proton therapy he/she will undergo a simulation process to enable proper planning prior to treatment. This process involves making an immobilization device to help the patient maintain a steady body position during the proton treatment. Using the custom immobilization device, treatment planning x-ray images are obtain to help delineate the lesion(s) or target(s) and map their position within the body.
- When patients come for their proton treatments, images are taken using state-of-the-art x-ray or ultra-sound technology. These pre-treatment images are compared to the planning images to ensure high precision alignment.
Proton beam radiation therapy is useful in treating a variety of cancers including:
Pediatric Cancers - such as:
- astrocytomas
- ependymomas
- germinomas
- medulloblastomas
- optic gliomas
- primitive neuro-ectodermal tumors
- rhabdomyosarcomas
- sarcomas
Head & Neck Cancers
Brain and Cranial Base Tumors - such as:
- acoustic neuromas
- arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)
- ependymomas
- gliomas
- meningiomas
- pituitary adenomas
- low grade gliomas
Tumors of the eye and orbit - such as:
- ocular melanomas
- retinoblastomas
Sarcomas
Prostate Cancer (early stage)
Spine Tumors - such as:
- chordomas
- chondrosarcomas
Thoracic Cancers
- Medically inoperable non-small cell lung cancer
- Locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (on research protocol)
Gastrointestinal Cancers - such as:
- Liver tumors (unresectable)
- Pancreatic cancer (on research protocol)
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-726-0923
Fax: 617-726-6498
