Recurrent Cancer
Proton Therapy for Recurrent Cancer
Overview
Cancer recurrence can happen if the first cancer treatment did not completely destroy all cancer cells in the primary cancer. This does not mean the cancer was treated insufficiently, but rather that some cancer cells were resistant and survived the treatment. These cells developed into detectable tumors over time. Ongoing innovations and medical advancements in cancer treatment, such as proton therapy, offer hope to patients with recurrent cancer. Proton therapy delivers high doses of radiation directly to tumors, eliminating cancer cells while minimizing exposure to non-targeted, healthy tissue.
What is cancer recurrence?
Cancer recurrence happens when cancer returns after treatment and after a period when no cancer could be detected. The timeframe of recurrence can vary. Cancer may return where it previously occurred or in another part of the body.
Recurrent cancers can be referred to as local recurrence, regional recurrence, or distant recurrence.
- Cancer recurrence at the original site is called local recurrence.
- Regional recurrence refers to tumors developing in lymph nodes or tissues near the site of the first cancer.
- Distant recurrence is when cancer spreads far from its original site.
Symptoms of cancer recurrence
When treatment ends, your physician may outline specific signs or symptoms of recurrence to watch for. A follow-up care plan, including regular visits and screenings, will monitor your health for any unexpected changes. Report any symptoms to your physician immediately.
Treatment for recurrent cancer
Patients suspecting cancer recurrence should communicate with their oncologist about any symptoms they experience. As with a primary cancer, treatments for a recurrent cancer can be used to control and eliminate cancer as well as manage pain and side effects. Participating in a clinical trial may also be an option. Treatment for recurring cancer can include surgery, radiation therapy, proton therapy, chemotherapy, or biological therapy.
Treatment option considerations
- Type of cancer
- Location of recurrence
- Patient’s general health and age
- Timing of recurrence
- Extent of the spread of the cancer
- Patient’s values and wishes
- Treatment tolerance
- Potential side effects
Benefits of Proton Therapy
Proton therapy involves targeted proton beams that can deliver high doses of radiation to destroy cancerous cells. Proton Therapy may be beneficial for several recurrent cancer types, including cancers of the brain, head and neck, lung, and breast, as well as gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and gynecologic cancers.
Notable benefits of proton therapy for cancer recurrence:
- The high-energy, precisely-targeted proton beams can deliver high doses of radiation to destroy cancerous cells.
- Because proton treatment is a highly precise form of radiation therapy, it is sometimes used as a targeted therapy for recurrent cancer tumors that have already been treated with radiation.
- Proton treatment for recurrent cancer may reduce side effects, helping patients maintain their current quality of life during and after treatment.
Pencil-beam scanning
Only a few centers in the country offer an advanced technology called pencil-beam scanning – and Texas Center for Proton Therapy is one of them. Pencil-beam scanning is ideal for patients with tumors in sensitive areas because it uses an ultra-fine proton beam with pencil-point precision to delicately apply the radiation to the sensitive area.