Treating Gastrointestinal (GI) Tumors with Proton Therapy

Proton Therapy for GI Tract Tumors

Treatment for GI tract tumors often requires a combination of radiation therapy and either chemotherapy or surgery. The combination of therapies can be difficult for patients to tolerate. In some cases, standard radiation isn’t a viable treatment option for patients because it would cause too much damage to healthy tissues and organs near the tumor.

The care team at Northwestern Medicine Proton Center can help you understand the advantages of proton therapy for your diagnosis.

Patients for whom standard radiation is not a viable option can find an effective treatment option at the Proton Center, one of a growing number of proton therapy centers in the U.S.³ The GI tract tumors most appropriate for proton therapy include:

• Esophagus
• Pancreas
• Liver
• Rectum
• Anal canal

The Proton Center is one of the few proton therapy centers throughout the Midwest and the first one in Illinois. Our team is dedicated to explaining all of your treatment options for GI cancer and facilitating a conversation with you and your physician or oncologist to determine the best course of treatment for you.

To learn if you can benefit from proton therapy, call 1.877.887.5807 or fill out our online form.

Treatment-planning studies for esophageal cancer found that the more precise dose delivered with proton therapy reduced the likelihood of lung complications.²

Proton therapy is considered safe, non-invasive and painless. Depending on the patient's diagnosis, treatments are usually given five days a week. Liver tumor treatment typically involves 15 sessions over three weeks. Other GI tumors can require 30 treatments over six weeks.

Patients continue with normal activities before and after treatment. Some patients choose to work; others go on a “radiation vacation” and spend their days doing recreational activities before or after treatment.

• Base-of-skull tumors
• Brain tumors
• Breast cancer
• Head and neck tumors
• Lung cancer