Proton Therapy for Spinal Tumors
Treat spinal tumors while protecting vital nearby organs
Proton therapy for spinal tumors is uniquely targeted to affect cancerous tissues without causing long-term side effects.
Why choose proton therapy?
Tumors in or near the spine can be in direct contact with nerves and tissue that control your ability to see, hear and move. For that reason, traditional X-ray radiation can be difficult to administer: Excess radiation can harm the surrounding tissues and damage their ability to function properly. Proton therapy’s precision allows for an optimal amount of radiation to be applied to the tumor while minimizing damage to vital, healthy cells.
Comparison image – Proton Therapy is on the left, Photon Therapy is on the right
Spinal tumors we treat with proton therapy
Proton therapy can be used to treat a wide variety of spinal tumors, such as:
- Chordomas
- Chondrosarcomas
- Desmoid tumors
- Ependymomas
- Ewing’s sarcomas
- Sarcomas
Proton therapy for recurrent spinal tumors
If you have a recurrent spinal tumor that has previously been treated with radiation therapy, traditional x-ray radiation is generally not possible because the delicate area around your tumor can only tolerate a limited amount of radiation over a lifetime. Proton therapy, however, can be safe to use in many cases, as it can provide an optimal dose of radiation to your spinal tumor while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. This puts radiation back on the table as a treatment option for recurrent spinal tumors.
Learn more about proton therapy
Request a consultation below to learn if proton therapy might benefit you. Our physicians will work with you and your care team to create your personalized treatment plan.
