How do you approach the discussion with a patient who is seeking proton therapy for early stage breast cancer?  

I would ask why they want protons. Assuming they give the expected answer, I would say something like this: “Thanks for asking about that. I certainly understand why you might feel as if protons would be better for you. I understand that receiving radiation can be scary, and indeed, radiation...

I currently practice in a rural area in central Vermont. The nearest proton centers are several hours away.  If a patient with "textbook" early-stage breast cancer undergoing breast conservation therapy comes to my clinic and asks about protons, I tell them the truth - or at least, my opinion ...

The amount of patients being treated with protons is incredible - if you look at Medicare data.  I’m sorry to say - this is on the proton centers. With Medicare, protons are covered as part of Group 2. Everyone has a registry, so everyone is covered.  The proton centers that are no...

I have experience treating with proton therapy for breast cancer. There are complex scenarios with large target volumes, deep nodal boosts, comprehensive targets, and unique anatomy where the OAR sparing is very nice and, in some circumstances, facilitates treatment. We also have supported and do su...

I draw a diagram showing the differences in depth/dose deposition for both types of radiation, and explain that when blanketing a large region like in breast cancer, there really isn't much difference between the two, and say that if it was my family member, I'd advise them to be treated near their ...

Didn't we have this same discussion 20 years ago regarding prostate cancer? LIke Yogi Berra said, "It's like déjà vu all over again."