Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
08:34
Proton Therapy Delivery and Its Clinical Application in Select Solid Tumor Malignancies
Published on: February 6, 2019
Evaluation of potential proton therapy utilization in a market-based environment
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. td39@columbia.edu
Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR
|July 16, 2010
Summary
Approximately one-third of patients receiving radiation therapy could potentially benefit from proton therapy. This shift could increase annual costs by 20% and requires careful economic consideration for widespread adoption.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Oncology
- Medical Physics
- Health Economics
Background:
- Proton therapy is an emerging radiation treatment with significant economic implications.
- Evaluating current highly conformal photon therapy use can estimate proton therapy's potential patient volume.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the proportion of patients suitable for proton therapy.
- To use highly conformal photon therapy utilization as a proxy for proton therapy potential.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1042 patients treated in 2007.
- Categorization of treatment techniques using Current Procedural Terminology codes.
- Estimation of cost impact using Medicare 2008 codes.
Main Results:
- Highly conformal photon techniques (IMRT, SBRT, GK) were used in 31% of treatment fractions.
- Prostate cancer, gliomas, and head and neck cancers were primary indications.
- Proton therapy adoption could increase institutional costs by $1.3 million (22%) and require 1.4 gantries.
Conclusions:
- About one-third of annually treated patients could potentially receive proton therapy.
- Proton therapy adoption may lead to a 20% incremental cost increase for the entire patient population.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
01:29Positron Emission Tomography
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique involving radiopharmaceuticals — substances that emit short-lived radiation. Although the first PET scanner was introduced in 1961, it took 15 more years before radiopharmaceuticals were combined with the technique and revolutionized its potential.
One of the main requirements of a PET scan is a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is produced in a cyclotron and then attached to a substance used by the part of the body being...
One of the main requirements of a PET scan is a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is produced in a cyclotron and then attached to a substance used by the part of the body being...