Proton therapy for lung cancer
It is the most effective modality of radiotherapy indicated for lung cancer that is precisely synchronised with respiratory movements.
Proton therapy for lung cancer, as a result of its high precision and because it is the treatment that best preserves healthy tissue surrounding the tumour, is the best treatment of choice for patients with lung tumours, given that there is synchrony with respiratory movement.
Practically half of the lung cancers diagnosed can be treated with external radiotherapy, in combination with other therapies, but its location close to critical organs (heart, spine and oesophagus) and its natural movement during treatment linked to the respiratory rhythm, make it one of the most technically complex tumours for external radiation.
The Lung Cancer Area of the Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra is an international reference centre in the field of lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Indications for proton therapy in lung cancer
- Microcytic lung cancer.
- Non-small cell lung cancer.
- Recurrent lung tumours, in selected cases.
Indications in other thoracic tumours:
- Mediastinal tumours (thymomas and sarcomas).
- Malignant mesothelioma.
- Lymphoma.
Main advantages of proton therapy in lung and thoracic tumours
As a highly complex medical centre, we have the most up-to-date technology for the most accurate diagnosis in the shortest time span
Lower toxicity
Tolerance to treatment is better with proton therapy and most patients can return to their routine, even for the time their treatment lasts (from 3 to 7 weeks depending on the type and dimension of the tumour).
Greater precision
Proton therapy is a treatment of choice for recurrent tumours in areas that have been previously treated with conventional radiotherapy (re-irradiation) and even for inoperable tumours.
Greater control
Better local control of the disease and protection of healthy tissue also translates into better survival data and improved quality of life for the patient.
The technology of the Clinic
- Multi energy system: It changes the energy very quickly for the sweeping of the next treatment layer.
- 360º gantry rotation: Reduces treatment time and increases beam precision. This is decisive in lung cancer, where the tumour is subject to the natural respiratory movement of the organ.
- Pincel beam scanning: This is the most advanced modality of proton therapy administration, with a great capacity to enclose the tumour in a half circle, adjusting the programmed dose. In patients with recurrent lung cancer that has already been treated with external radiotherapy, it adjusts the beam to the tumour lesion, preserving the rest of the surrounding tissue and making the treatment viable.
- Cone-beam tomography: in a 360º gantry, the integrated CT allows the exact verification of the condition of the tumour on the very day of the treatment.
Why at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra?
Most lung tumors require a combination of therapies consisting of surgery -including robotic surgery-, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and external radiotherapy, which are available at the Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra.
Reference Center
The Clínica Universidad de Navarra is an international reference center in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. We have the only European thoracic surgeon accredited by the American Academy of Robotic Surgery.
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.