Although the side effects of X-ray radiation therapy can be significant, with proton therapy, healthy tissue and organs receive substantially less radiation than with conventional radiation therapy, resulting in fewer side effects and better quality of life for patients undergoing radiation therapy.
During proton therapy, the beam is directed and delivered with such precision that healthy tissue and organs receive essentially no radiation dose. There is still radiation released in the body, which can produce some side effects.
Side effects of proton therapy can include:
- fatigue
- mouth, eating and digestion problems
- headaches
- hair loss around the treatment area
- redness on the skin near the treatment area
- soreness in the treatment area