behind the tumors.
Proton therapy was actually first introduced in the 1950s, but it hasn’t been accessible to many patients until very recently.
That’s because proton therapy machines are essentially small particle accelerators that use cyclotrons to propel protons to two-thirds the speed of light. Once the protons are brought up to speed, a series of magnetic plates is used to focus the particles into a concentrated beam that can be shaped to the contours of individual tumors. In addition to being more precise than X-ray radiation therapy, proton therapy is also faster. Whereas traditional radiation therapy requires patients to hold still for minutes at a time, a dose of protons takes just seconds to administer. 10 years ago, there were only four proton therapy centers in the country. Soon, according to The Chicago Tribune, there will be more than 50. Thanks to new technological innovations, the cost of proton therapy is also expected to fall dramatically within the next five years. As the technology continues to get more affordable and accessible, proton therapy could become a valuable new tool for oncologists in hospitals across the country.