- Treatment Techniques
- Radiation Oncology
- Brachytherapy
- Radiosurgery
- Proton Therapy
- Services & Support
- Events & Resources
Proton Therapy | Benefits
The clinical benefits of protons are illustrated in the image below that shows the dose depositions as a function of the depth in tissue for both protons and photons. The dose deposition of protons has two desirable characteristics:
- The maximum proton range is well defined and a function of incoming beam energy
- Most of the proton energy is lost over a short distance close to the maximum penetration depth resulting in the so-called Bragg peak.
The Proton Advantage
For treatment purposes, the proton beam energy can be selected so that the Bragg peak coincides with the treatment volume. To irradiate most treatment volumes a Spread-Out Bragg Peak (SOBP) is accomplished by superimposing multiple beams of slightly different energies. The Bragg peak or SOBP ensures a limited dose deposition in the skin region and no dose behind the target volume. This greatly improves dose conformity and the ability to spare healthy tissue allows clinicians to treat tumors close to vital organs.
Contact Varian Oncology
Varian Oncology Headquarters
Tel: 1.650.424.5700
Contact Us
Events
- 11/18/2008 - 11/21/2008
Medica - 11/26/2008 - 11/29/2008
AMPI Conference - 11/30/2008 - 12/05/2008
RSNA 2008 - 12/06/2008 - 12/09/2008
ASH 2008 Annual Meeting (American Society of Hematology)
