Proton therapy for esophageal cancer
High-dose radiation in an area of high complexity for esophageal cancer
The oesophagus is surrounded by vital structures — the heart, lungs, trachea and spinal cord — which limit the dose that can be delivered using conventional radiotherapy. Proton therapy allows high doses of radiation to be delivered directly to the tumour with less toxicity and better treatment tolerance. It is an option even for inoperable tumours and for cases requiring re-irradiation.
The University of Navarra Cancer Centre, with facilities in Madrid, offers access to all necessary treatments — robotic surgery, chemotherapy and proton therapy — under one roof.
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What are the causes?
The main risk factors include high alcohol and tobacco consumption, the combination of which increases the risk multiplicatively.
There are also precancerous lesions, such as caustic oesophagitis, Barrett's oesophagus, achalasia or Plummer-Vinson syndrome.
Barrett's oesophagus, associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux and chronic hiatus hernia, is the most important predisposing factor.
Other risk factors include a diet poor in fruit and vegetables, consumption of very hot foods, and foods containing nitrosamines (present in products such as beer, fish and processed meats).
Why at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra
Most esophageal tumors require a combination of therapies consisting of surgery -including robotic surgery-, chemotherapy and external radiotherapy, which are available at the Cancer Center Universidad de Navarra.
Reference Center
The Clínica Universidad de Navarra is an international reference center in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, offering patients and their families access to an interdisciplinary approach to esophageal cancer.
A unique concept
First facility in Spain integrated in an Intrahospital Cancer Center, with all its assistance, academic and research support.
Advanced technology
As a highly complex center, we have the most advanced technology for the most accurate diagnosis in the shortest time possible.
The most precise radiation therapy for cancer
The protons deposit their energy within successive tumor layers extremely quickly, destroying them and then repairing them through normal scar tissue.
Radiation Oncology
