It’s important that patients, along with their caregivers and families, have the information they need for informed and confident treatment decisions about proton therapy.
These answers to frequently asked questions can help you decide whether proton therapy is right for you. You can also contact us directly for more information.
Proton therapy is an advanced radiation treatment that uses supercharged proton beams to target and destroy the cancer tumor. It’s extraordinarily precise, releasing nearly all the radiation into the tumor and almost none into surrounding areas.
Learn more about the benefits of proton therapy.
Proton therapy delivers a precise dose of radiation directly to the tumor site, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. That allows a higher, more effective radiation dose with fewer short- and long-term side effects.
Proton therapy is particularly beneficial for pediatric patients. It is also effective in treating complex tumors, as well as those located near sensitive area such as the brain, head, neck, lung, prostate, or along the spine.
Learn more about the benefits of proton therapy.
Proton therapy is an effective treatment for many types of cancer, but most typically for solid tumors that have not spread to other parts of the body.
See the types of cancers we treat at the New York Proton Center.
Because every cancer is different, we encourage you to talk to your physician or contact us to learn if proton therapy is right for you.
The first step is to speak to your oncologist. Based on your diagnosis, he or she can assess whether proton therapy may be an option for you.
If you have further questions or would like to consult with one of our EXPERIENCED radiation oncologists, please contact us.
Side-effects from proton therapy treatment vary depending on medical history, age, diagnosis and treatment plan. Common symptoms include fatigue, temporary hair loss, and/or irritation on skin that is in the direct path of the radiation. Compared to conventional radiation therapy, however, proton therapy significantly reduces the potential for short- and long-term side-effects.
Proton therapy is a non-invasive, state-of-the-art treatment that is safe and can reduce side effects and better preserve quality of life compared with traditional photon radiation therapy.
The New York Proton Center is committed to helping you secure approval by providing your insurance company with supporting clinical evidence about your case. You can learn more here. Please remember to always contact your insurance provider to find out whether your policy covers proton therapy. Many providers do, but not all.
If you have additional questions, please contact us. You can also review the research validating proton therapy as an effective treatment for cancer. You may need to share it with your insurance provider to help you secure coverage for treatment.
Yes.
It’s essential that you and your primary oncologist submit a request for coverage prior to scheduling treatment to learn about your coverage. If your insurance carrier determines that your case requires further review, your first request might be denied. In fact, it might take several appeals before your submission is approved.
The New York Proton Center is committed to helping you secure approval by providing your insurance company with supporting clinical evidence about your case.
Yes. Your referring oncologist remains involved in your care via regular contact and consultation with your support team at the Center.
No. Proton therapy has been approved by the FDA since 1988 and used effectively for decades—including by our partners—to treat cancer. The clinical data validates proton therapy as an effective form of cancer treatment that is neither experimental nor investigative.
Yes. In fact, proton therapy is uniquely appropriate for a variety of pediatric cancers. It can significantly reduce the potential for developmental abnormalities, growth delays, reductions in IQ, and other long-term complications that often result from conventional radiation.
Learn more about pediatric patient treatment options.
