<b>Proton Beam Radiation at Loma Linda From Dave M</b>
 
I received Proton Beam Radiation information by calling 1-800-PROTONS. The video and pamphlets were sent from Loma Linda University Medical Center Proton Treatment Center. 

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If you click on 'Publications' on the left side of the web page, you are taken to "Published Articles" where you can then find "Clinically Related Publications" by the center's faculty, with links to Medline when available.

<b>Before getting into why they say Proton beam radiation may be better than photon (x-ray) radiation, they state that the following sites are presently being treated:</b>

<b>BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD</b>
including isolated brain metastases, pituitary adenomas, and arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).

<b>TUMORS AT THE BASE OF THE SKULL</b>
including meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, chordomas, and chondrosarcomas.

<b>EYE DISEASES</b> 
including uveal (choroidal) melanomas and neovascular formations resulting from the "wet" form of macular degeneration.

<b>CANCERS OF THE HEAD AND NECK</b> 
including primary and recurrent nasopharyngeal cancers and locally advanced oropharyngeal cancers.

<b>TUMORS OF THE CHEST AND ABDOMEN</b>
including inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer and chordomas and chondrosarcomas of that region (usually abutting the spinal cord).

<b>TUMORS OF THE PELVIS</b>
including prostate cancers, other unresectable pelvic cancers, and chordomas and chondrosarcomas of that region (also below the spinal cord).

<b>PEDIATRIC TUMORS</b> 
including brain and spinal cord tumors, orbital and ocular tumors, sarcomas of the base of the skull and spine, and abdominal and pelvic malignancies such as Wilm's tumor.
 
Loma Linda's Proton accelerator was built by Fermilab and was the first hospital-based proton center and has been in operation almost 10 years. In Boston, Massachusetts General Hospital, in cooperation with Harvard University, will have the second hospital-based system, to open in 2001.  (I am paraphrasing from their pamphlet, I personally know nothing about any of this)

Both the video and pamphlets explain how proton beam radiation is different from x-ray radiation. 
Photon radiation (x-ray) is delivered and most of its energy is deposited on the normal tissue on the skins surface, and some also is deposited beyond the targeted tumor which can result in unnecessary damage to healthy tissues. 
Protons are energized to specific velocities that determine how deeply in the body the protons will deposit their maximum energy. They state that "proton therapy is a more precise form of conformal radiation, ... that can be shaped very closely to the tumor and allows them to deliver higher doses to the tumor while minimizing damaging side effects."

The positive charged protons pass near the negatively charged electrons, pulling the electrons out of their orbits (ionization), this changes the characteristics of the atom, which in turn changes the characteristics of the molecules  of the target. This is the basis for all forms of radiation therapy. Because protons have a heavier mass, and can be energized to a specific velocity, it can be determined how deeply in the body protons will deposit their maximum energy. As the protons move through the body they slow down, causing increased interaction with orbiting electrons until they reach their targeted stopping point.

Because of ionization, the radiation damages the DNA, which in turn destroys specific cell functions, which may include the ability to divide or proliferate. Enzymes attempt to rebuild the injured area of the DNA, but a cancer cell's ability to repair molecular injury is frequently inferior. As a result, cancer cells sustain more permanent damage and subsequent cell death than occurs in the normal cell population. (This is usually applicable to all forms of radiation therapy). [And can result in more de-differentiation of any cancer cells that survive. Ed.]
 
A proton beam radiation oncologist can increase the dose to a targeted mass, while reducing the dose to surrounding normal tissue.
That's it in a nutshell. The pamphlet is 20 pages and explains much more.

Dave M 
December 2001


<b>Erin, on the LMS List, researched proton beam therapy, and posted in October 2001: </b>
"Houston's M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is in development and years away."


<b>There is another proton beam therapy unit opening in the Midwest.</b>
Indiana University's Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute (MPRI) is the only one of its kind in the Midwest.  The new facility will have low cost family living facilities so the patient's family/caregivers can be with them during the timeline of treatment regimen.


<b>Dick, on the LMS List, wrote to MGH in Nov 2001: </b>
There has been some question as to the status of the Massachusetts General Hospital Proton beam facility. I decided the easiest way to find out the "facts" was to write them. The following is their response: 
<b>Dear Mr. Whiting, </b>
The NE Proton Therapy Center started treating patients last week and will be treating patients on an ongoing basis. We will be accepting patients for new protocols soon. 
Our main focus will be on primary tumors, however I am not a clinician and medical issues may be better addressed to Katie Mannix, our Clinical Manager at CMannix@partners.org. 
Regards, 
MSPH Business Manager / Research Grants Manager 
Northeast Proton Therapy Center (NPT-100) 
Massachusetts General Hospital 
Dept. of Radiation Oncology 
Boston, MA 02114 
(617) 724-9640 (617) 724-9532 FAX


compiled by doctordee
updated November 2003
