ipl-logo

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Proton Therapy

1075 Words5 Pages

It was Democritus who first stated that all matter is made of atoms. They are eternal, invisible, and can not be divided any further. After Democritus came other scientists who delved deeper and countless subatomic particles have been found since. The basic parts of the atom are the electrons, protons and the neutrons, of which only the neutron is a fundamental particle. The proton and neutron are hadrons made of smaller particles called quarks. The study of the particles is called Particle Physics and this has helped shape our world (dictionary). Particle physics deals with properties, correlations, and reactions of subatomic particles. Research done helps answer the most fundamental and difficult questions and develop technology which helps …show more content…

Powerful doses of radiation are directed directly to the cancer area, and unwanted radiation exposure is reduced, and the damage to the healthy tissues surrounding the cancer reduces. Particle therapy works by pulling electrons out of their orbits, as the positively charged protons pass by in a process called ionization. During this process the radiation damages the cancer cells, and their reproduction rate reduces. Cancerous cells are inferior in the ability to repair molecular damage, and so when the cancer cells go through radiation therapy they sustain permanent …show more content…

Many believe that it is not necessary to fund this project and rather put the money for immunization and vaccines, as they could be of more help. Another disadvantage being proton therapy focuses very precisely on its target, and then the radiation is deposited. However the body is not completely stationary, which affects the location of the tumor, making it harder to locate it and aim radiation to the tumor specifically. This could cause the radiation to be focused on vital organs and fatally damaging them. Not treat all types of cancers can be treated by this and only treat cancers that have not spread across the body are treatable by proton therapy. This includes cancers near brain, spine and prostate. This cuts down a huge section of patients that could be treated by proton therapy. This list is further cut down because of the

More about What Are The Pros And Cons Of Proton Therapy

    Open Document