The founder and lead surgeon of the North Texas Cancer Center at Wise talks about this alternative treatment.

Decatur, TX – The use of proton beam therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer has more than doubled in recent years as this alternative becomes more widely available and continues to produce favorable results while reducing side effect risks.

“Proton therapy’s use is on the rise as more studies continue to support its benefits,” explains Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at the North Texas Cancer Center at Wise. “This form of therapy is also slowly, but surely becoming more available to patients for treatment of a variety of different cancers.”

Proton therapy is similar to traditional radiation therapy with a few distinct differences. The procedure is designed to provide for more precise irradiation of cancerous tumors, which can reduce the likelihood of radiation-related side effects.

While numerous studies have supported the benefits of proton beam therapy in reducing radiation-related side effects for prostate cancer patients, the use is just now taking off. A recent study showed, in fact, that between 2004 and 2012, the use of proton therapy for prostate cancer treatment doubled. The results showed the therapy’s use increased from 2.3 percent in 2004 to 4.8 percent by 2012.

“As this therapy becomes more widely accepted and the technology becomes more affordable, its use in treating prostate cancer and other cancers is likely to continue to rise,” says Dr. Echt.

Although proven to be highly effective for limiting side effects while treating cancer, proton beam therapy is not presently available on a widespread basis. The technology’s availability has been hampered by the size of the equipment required and its overall costs. Research is well underway, however, to advance the technology to make it more compact and affordable. Studies have supported its use for treated a variety of cancers, including prostate cancer.

About North Texas Cancer Center at Wise
North Texas Cancer Center at Wise, a division of Choice Cancer Care, is now operating as the Cancer Center at Wise Regional and is one of the most renowned cancer treatment centers in Texas. The center unites some of the best cancer doctors and surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. Our expert team delivers superior cancer treatment in Texas, with the best results available.