The Science of Protons
Dr. Cynthia Keppel
The proton radiotherapy center will house some of the most
advanced cancer fighting technology in the world. The Hampton University
Proton Therapy Institute, in partnership with other collaborators, will
insure that Hampton Roads is at the forefront of cancer care and technology
development for years to come.
Dr. Cynthia Keppel
Scientific & Technical Director
To date, more than 52,000 patients have received proton therapy worldwide.
Radiation therapy requires the release of many photons to damage the cancerous cells. However, the energy deposited between the skin and the tumor site and beyond limits the dose physicians can safely prescribe.
Proton therapy releases the majority of its destructive energy within a small range inside the tumor, depositing less entrance dose and no exit dose. Therefore, with proton therapy it is possible to deliver more dose to the tumor without harming healthy surrounding tissue. The proton beam can be precisely targeted directly to the tumor. This causes little to no side effects for the patient as the entire dose is confined to the tumor only.
Because of the precise dose of proton therapy
- Doctors can safely escalate the dose within a confined target area;
- The probability of side effects are drastically reduced;
- Healthy tissue is left unharmed.
