Proton Therapy for Brain Cancer

Brain Cancer Statistics

• In 2024, an estimated 25,400 malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord (14,420 in males and 10,980 in females) will be diagnosed.
• In 2024, brain cancer and spinal cord tumors will claim the lives of an estimated 18,760 people (10,690 males and 8,070 females).
• In Texas, an estimated 1,991 new brain and other nervous system cancers are expected to be diagnosed in 2024, and 1,330 Texans are expected to die from the disease.
• In children, primary brain and spinal cord tumors account for approximately 25 percent of childhood cancers, the second most common cancers (behind leukemia). 
• The likelihood an individual will be diagnosed with a malignant tumor of the brain or spinal cord is less than 1 percent over his or her lifetime.

You do not need a doctor’s referral to be seen at Texas Center for Proton Therapy. Request an Appointment

Brain Cancer Risk Factors

Most brain tumors have no known causes, and known risk factors are few.

• Radiation: Exposure to radiation therapy to the head increases the risk of developing a primary brain tumor.
• Immune System Disorders: Patients with compromised immune systems have a higher chance of developing lymphomas of the brain, including AIDS, Epstein-Barr virus, or having an organ transplant.
• Family history: A small percentage of brain tumors develop in people with a family history of brain tumors or genetic syndromes.

Brain Cancer Symptoms And Signs

Brain cancer symptoms vary with each individual. People with these symptoms should consult their physician:

• Unexplained or recurring nausea and vomiting
• Seizures
• New, recurring, or worsening headaches
• Problems with balance
• Changes in speech, vision, or hearing
• Weakness or numbness in muscles and limbs
• Unexplained drowsiness or coma                      
• Changes in behavior or personality
• Loss of movement or sensation in an extremity
• Short-term memory loss

6-Year-Old Completes Final Proton Therapy Cancer Treatment

Six-year-old Caitlynne Truett completed treatment at Texas Center for Proton Therapy after being diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer. Caitlynne has seen incredible improvement and will move forward to the next chapter of her journey with a smile and a positive attitude.

Tips for Prevention

Other than reducing exposing the head to radiation, there are no known ways to prevent primary brain or spinal cord tumors. However, in adults, certain lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight or quitting smoking, are believed to decrease the risk of developing cancers in the body, which could potentially reach the brain.

Brain Cancer Treatment

Treatment for brain cancer is determined by many factors, including: tumor type; size and location in the brain; whether it’s newly diagnosed or a recurrence; the tumor’s specific genetic makeup and your overall health. Brain tumors can be very difficult to treat; therefore, many patients require a team of physicians including a neurosurgeon, neurologist, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist or neuro-oncologist, and an endocrinologist.

Surgery is the main treatment for brain tumors if located within the membranes covering the brain or in an area where removal would not damage the surrounding areas. Brain tumors that are located in or near sensitive areas can make total removal more risky, or occasionally impossible. Proton therapy is particularly useful in tumors deep in the brain or near sensitive areas due to the accuracy of the proton beam.

Several other treatments may be used such as radiation therapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or alternating electric field therapy. Often a combination of treatments is used to provide the best chance of disease control.