title: Proton beam therapy.
abstract: Conventional radiation therapy directs photons (X-rays) and electrons at tumours with the intent of eradicating the neoplastic tissue while preserving adjacent normal tissue. Radiation-induced damage to healthy tissue and second malignancies are always a concern, however, when administering radiation. Proton beam radiotherapy, one form of charged particle therapy, allows for excellent dose distributions, with the added benefit of no exit dose. These characteristics make this form of radiotherapy an excellent choice for the treatment of tumours located next to critical structures such as the spinal cord, eyes, and brain, as well as for paediatric malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital Northeast Proton Therapy Center, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kooy
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Loeffler
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: DeLaney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D061766:Proton Therapy; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D011874:Radiometry; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods; D011522:Protons
chemical_list: D011522:Protons