Gynecologic Cancers
There are five main types of gynecological cancer:
- Cervical
- Ovarian
- Uterine
- Vaginal
- Vulvar
Rarely, cancers can also develop in the fallopian tubes. Uterine cancer, which includes endometrial cancer, is the most common, and ovarian cancer is the deadliest, according to the American Cancer Society. Treatment options vary with gynecological cancers, but the National Institutes of Health reports roughly 60 percent of patients will receive external and/or internal radiation.
When is proton therapy an option?
McLaren Proton Therapy Center treats all gynecological cancers. Protons can deliver high doses of radiation to tumors, without the risk of radiation impacting surrounding healthy tissue, like the kidneys, bowel, bladder, and pelvic bone marrow. Protons are more targeted than X-rays used in traditional radiation therapy, and literally stop at the tumor, rather than exiting the body, like X-rays do.
Patients with endometrial or cervical cancer, who have had prior radiation therapy, who suffer a recurrence, or for whom surgery is not an option are also candidates for proton therapy. Adolescents and young adults can especially benefit from proton therapy, because it can help them avoid long-term side effects, such as infertility.
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