Spot scanning proton therapy represents a major advancement in cancer treatment. Unlike conventional radiation therapy, it uses a narrow beam of protons that can be precisely controlled to target tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
The proton beam is focused into a very narrow spot, typically just 2 to 5 millimeters in diameter. This small spot size allows for extremely precise targeting. The energy of the protons can be precisely controlled to determine how deep they penetrate into the tissue.
The proton beam is moved across the tumor using powerful electromagnets. One set of magnets controls horizontal movement, while another controls vertical movement. The beam scans in a systematic raster pattern, delivering radiation spot by spot across the entire tumor volume.
The tumor is treated layer by layer in three dimensions. By changing the proton beam energy, we control how deep the protons penetrate. Lower energy protons treat shallow layers, while higher energy protons reach deeper layers. This allows precise dose delivery throughout the entire tumor volume.
The primary advantage of spot scanning proton therapy is its exceptional dose conformity. The treatment precisely matches the tumor shape while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This precision reduces side effects and allows doctors to deliver higher, more effective doses to the tumor itself, improving treatment outcomes.