Proton Therapy's Mission   Radiation therapy using X-rays has long been used as a treat- ment option for cancers and noncancerous (benign) tumors. Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy – a treatment that uses high energy beams to treat both cancerous and noncancerous tumors.   An article written by the Mayo Clinic Staff suggests that proton therapy can cause FEWER side effects than the traditional radiation. It has been shown that proton therapy can show promise in treating several kinds of cancer. (img3)   "Doctors can better control where the proton beams deposit their energy. With some types of cancer, proton therapy treatment is the only option. The major advantage of proton treatment over conventional radiation, however, is that the energy distribution of protons can be directed and deposited in tissue volumes designated by the physicians-in a three-dimensional pattern from each beam used. This capability provides greater control and precision and, therefore, superior management of treatment. This therapy allows patients to receive higher treatment doses. These can be more effective, while also reducing damage to healthy tissues that might surround the tumor."(1) Proton therapy destroys cancer cells by preventing them from exponentially dividing and continually growing.   Brain tumors Cancer in children Eye melanoma Head and neck cancers  Liver cancer Lung cancer Pituitary gland cancer Prostate cancer Tumors affecting the spine Tumors in the base of the skull