Revolutionizing Radiation: How Proton Therapy Benefits Women with Gynecologic Cancers

Gynecologic cancers affect the organs of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vulva, and vagina. While surgery, chemotherapy, and traditional radiation therapy may be part of the treatment paradigm, proton therapy is a valuable option for some patients.

What Makes Proton Therapy Different?

Proton therapy is a highly precise form of radiation treatment that delivers targeted energy directly to the tumor while minimizing exposure to nearby healthy tissues and organs. For gynecologic cancers—especially tumors of the cervix, uterus, vulva or vagina—this accuracy is important because of the proximity to sensitive organs, such as the bladder, intestines, and other parts of the reproductive system.

Unlike traditional X-ray (photon) radiation, proton therapy uses positively charged particles—protons—that can be programmed to stop exactly where the tumor ends. This “stop point,” called the Bragg Peak, allows doctors to better control where the radiation dose is delivered and reduce exposure to surrounding structures.

Benefits of Proton Therapy

Proton therapy’s precision can help reduce side effects from treatment and better preserve long-term quality of life. Key benefits include:

• Protecting nearby organs such as the bladder, bowels, spine, and pelvic bones from radiation
• Offering a safer option for patients who received prior radiation to the abdomen or pelvis
• Potentially preserving sexual health and function by limiting radiation to healthy parts of the gynecologic system
• Minimizing radiation exposure for kidney transplant patients and donors

Proton therapy may also be advantageous when large area requires treatment, for example, when both pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes must be treated—or when reirradiation is needed in an area that previously received radiation.

What to Expect During Treatment

Proton therapy for gynecologic cancer is typically delivered five days a week for five to six weeks. Each session takes approximately 30 minutes, although the actual treatment—the time the proton beam is active—usually takes just five to 10 minutes. Depending on the diagnosis and stage of disease, proton therapy may be given after surgery or in combination with chemotherapy.

Aiming for Cure and Quality of Life

For most gynecologic cancers, the goal of treatment is cure. Because these cancers often develop near critical organs, choosing a therapy that effectively treats the disease while protecting healthy tissues is essential. Proton therapy allows many women to achieve both—targeting cancer with precision while preserving quality of life.

At the New York Proton Center, our team designs an individualized treatment plan for each patient. By combining advanced technology with compassionate care, we’re helping women move forward after treatment with confidence and hope.

Meet the Physician

Dr. Kristin Hsieh is a radiation oncologist at the New York Proton Center specializing in proton therapy for the treatment of breast and gynecologic cancers.