What are the Long term Risks and Complications of Proton Therapy?

Since proton therapy is a noninvasive procedure, complications are rare, but nevertheless, possible. Complications generally depend on factors such as the treatment plan, tumor location and size. Some of the complications that may occur include the following:

Mucositis (inflammation of mucous membranes)
Cardiovascular complications
Brain damage (neuro-cognitive impairment)
Spinal cord damage
Lung (pulmonary) injury
Developmental defects (children)
Kidney problems
Colorectal changes
Infertility
Joint changes
Lymphedema (swelling due to blockage of lymphatic vessels)
Mouth changes
Secondary malignancies

What are the Side-effects of Proton Therapy?

Since the proton beam doesn’t penetrate beyond the tumor, this reduces the risk of side-effects due to radiation damage to surrounding healthy tissues. However, concurrent cancer therapies, radiation dose, and part of the body being treated, may influence the amount and extent of side-effects observed. Some of the major side-effects include the following:

Tiredness / fatigue
Difficulty eating / swallowing
Indigestion
Headaches
Diarrhea
Nausea and vomiting
Hair loss
Skin problems (increased sensitivity, redness, irritation, swelling, dryness, itching, peeling, blistering)
Soreness and swelling