Skip to Content
Menu

Proton therapy is radiation that uses protons to damage and kill mesothelioma cancer cells. It can send higher doses of radiation into tumors with minimal damage to healthy cells. Doctors aim the radiation using 3-D imaging. This emerging therapy is in clinical trials to treat pleural mesothelioma.


01. Proton Therapy Overview

What Is Proton Therapy?

Proton therapy, or proton beam therapy, is a type of external beam radiation treatment that may be used to treat some types of mesothelioma. It delivers high doses of radiation to the tumor. The radiation damages cancer cells and keeps them from growing.

Protons are very tiny particles found in the center of atoms. They can carry energy at a speed of 125,000 miles per second.

The treatment may use 3-D imaging scans to help doctors target the tumor. Using 3-D images allows doctors to direct radiation to targeted cancer cells while causing less damage to healthy ones. Because of this, proton therapy may have fewer side effects than traditional radiation therapy.

Researchers have studied proton therapy for other cancers since the 1950s. The Food and Drug Administration approved proton therapy as a treatment option for some cancers in 2001. However, very few radiation oncology departments have proton therapy available because it requires expensive equipment.

Researchers continue to study this cancer treatment for mesothelioma through clinical trials. As the trials finish, the emerging therapy may become available in more cancer centers.

What Is the Difference Between Proton Therapy and Traditional Radiation?

Traditional Radiation

External beam radiation treatments (EBRT) typically use X-rays to damage cancer cells. A beam of high-powered X-rays travels through the body. It is difficult to control where the X-rays release their energy along this path. So X-rays can damage healthy tissues around the tumor. Because of this, EBRT may cause more side effects than proton beam radiation.

Proton Therapy

Proton therapy uses energy from protons. Doctors can control where the protons release their energy and how deep it goes into the body. This precision means more healthy tissue remains unharmed. Proton therapy typically has fewer side effects than traditional radiation.

02. Proton Therapy for Mesothelioma

How Does Proton Therapy Treat Mesothelioma?

A machine separates the protons from hydrogen atoms and speeds them up. Large magnets in the machine direct the protons through the body to the tumor. The beam of protons is narrow and can adjust to control where its energy is released. This means it damages fewer healthy tissues.

Proton therapy for cancer treatment works by damaging the DNA in cancer cells. The protons release a high amount of radiation energy. This energy breaks DNA strands, disrupting cancer cells’ ability to repair themselves. This keeps them from growing or creating new cells.

Clinical trials continue to examine how well proton therapy can work for mesothelioma treatment. Two completed clinical trials show proton therapy may increase survival for some patients. However, these studies had only a few participants. A third study started late in 2023.

Pleural Mesothelioma Proton Therapy Clinical Trials

A phase III clinical trial for proton therapy started in October 2023. This trial will test how well the treatment works for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Researchers want to enroll 148 participants in the study and estimate a 2029 completion. In January 2024, it was the only active clinical trial testing proton therapy for any form of mesothelioma.

Researchers have not focused on proton therapy for peritoneal mesothelioma. While beneficial for pleural patients, radiation has not worked well for peritoneal patients.

Proton Therapy Procedure

The proton therapy procedure has three phases. Generally, patients will have a preparation, treatment and recovery phase. The three phases together can last months.

  • Preparation stage: This stage may take several weeks on its own. The patient undergoes imaging scans to confirm the tumor’s size and location. The care team then uses those images to determine the best position for the patient and the correct dose. Sometimes, the care team makes positioning aids to help the patient hold still during treatment. They may also mark where the tumor is on the patient’s skin with a pen.
  • Treatment stage: First, the patient gets into position on a table with the help of the care team. Next, the oncologist lines up a large mechanical arm called a gantry. This arm can move around the patient and deliver radiation from different angles. Then, the patient has an X-ray to ensure everything is lined up. Finally, the care team leaves the room, and the treatment begins. Each treatment may take around 30 minutes. Patients may have five treatments a week for several weeks.
  • Recovery stage: Most people can go home and do their usual routine activities after treatment. Adults can often drive themselves to and from their appointments unless they were sedated for the procedure.

It’s important to note that each procedure is unique to the patient. The care team can answer questions specific to your case.

03. Benefits & Disadvantages

What Are the Benefits and Disadvantages of Proton Therapy?

Proton therapy presents both advantages and disadvantages. Doctors have found most of the benefits when treating other cancers, like breast and prostate. These benefits may also help mesothelioma patients. Possible benefits include:

  • Fewer side effects: Proton therapy may cause fewer and more mild side effects than traditional radiation.
  • Less damage: Traditional radiation may damage other organs in the thoracic cavity, like the lung or heart. When used to treat mesothelioma, proton radiation precisely targets the treated area. It sends a thin beam to the tumor and may not damage as much healthy surrounding tissue.
  • Targeted: The treatment is a highly targeted radiotherapy, which may be a significant benefit. It allows doctors to deliver higher doses of radiation to the tumor. It may also reduce the risk of developing secondary cancer caused by radiation.

Unfortunately, proton therapy does have some drawbacks. These disadvantages may include:

  • Insurance coverage: Not all insurance companies will cover proton therapy. They may want proof that it is a better treatment for the patient’s cancer.
  • Limited availability: Few cancer centers have the equipment to perform the procedure. Those with it often cannot treat as many patients due to limited time for scheduling. It also means patients may have to travel to get treated.

Mesothelioma doctors can explain specific advantages and disadvantages of proton therapy to patients.

Proton Therapy and Mesothelioma Survival

Not enough research exists to show how proton therapy for mesothelioma may improve survival rates. As researchers complete more clinical trials, more data may become available.

A study has shown positive results for patients with inoperable stage III lung cancer. In the study, patients received proton therapy with chemotherapy. They had a median survival of 26.5 months. The authors compared this to older data from patients who received standard treatment. The median survival was 16 months for patients receiving chemo and traditional radiation. So proton therapy may have extended survival by more than 50%.

Proton therapy has been part of two small studies for mesothelioma. These studies included proton therapy as part of a multimodal treatment plan. Results showed improved survival with patients living up to 2 years.

More research is needed to determine if proton therapy will benefit mesothelioma patients.

04. Side Effects

What Are the Side Effects of Proton Therapy?

Proton therapy for mesothelioma may have fewer side effects than traditional radiation. In general, it does not have the same level of toxicity as traditional radiation. But patients receiving it have still reported side effects. These side effects may be different for mesothelioma patients.

Side Effects of Proton Therapy

Proton beam therapy may have side effects. Some side effects depend on the treatment area. Patients receiving proton therapy may notice:

  • Fatigue following treatment
  • Skin redness and soreness that feels like a sunburn
  • Temporary hair loss

Researchers need to study this treatment more to understand which side effects may affect mesothelioma patients. Even so, patients can speak with their care teams about what to expect. Doctors can also help manage side effects if they do arise.

05. Eligibility

Who Is Eligible for Proton Therapy?

Proton therapy is still considered an experimental therapy for mesothelioma, and doctors do not have established guidelines for eligibility. But some people with pleural mesothelioma may be eligible for proton therapy.

Pleural mesothelioma patients who are receiving therapeutic radiation might qualify for proton therapy. These patients may benefit because proton therapy delivers less radiation to the healthy lung.

Some notable cancer centers with a proton therapy center include:



The Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University

The Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University

Augusta, GA 30912


Huntsman Cancer Institute

Huntsman Cancer Institute

Salt Lake City, UT 84112


Mayo Clinic Cancer Center

Mayo Clinic Cancer Center

Rochester, MN 55905


OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center

Oklahoma City, OK 73104


University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center

University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center

Baltimore, MD 21201


The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, TX 77030


Willis-Knighton Cancer Center

Willis-Knighton Cancer Center

Shreveport, LA 71103


Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

Atlanta, GA 30322

06. Common Questions

Common Questions About Mesothelioma Proton Therapy

What are the key benefits of proton therapy for mesothelioma patients?

Proton therapy for mesothelioma may offer benefits to some pleural mesothelioma patients. Proton therapy uses a targeted beam of high-dose radiation. This targeting may mean less damage to surrounding tissues and fewer side effects. A higher dose of radiation may have better results.

What is the success rate of proton therapy for mesothelioma?

Researchers have not studied proton therapy for mesothelioma very much. Two completed studies suggest survival was between 4 months and 2 years. However, these studies included few patients. The data may be unreliable. A pending clinical trial includes a large group of patients and may provide more reliable data.

What stage of cancer is proton therapy most useful for?

Depending on the type of cancer, doctors may recommend proton therapy. For example, proton therapy may be used in any stage of prostate cancer. However, it may not work well for cancers that have spread (metastasized). Your oncologist can answer specific questions about your individual case.