Posted on 01/06/2025 1:33:36 PM PST by nickcarraway
Spain is gearing up to lead a bold new charge in the global fight against cancer, promising pinpoint precision and fewer complications.
A relatively new proton-powered treatment, known as proton therapy, has just arrived in Spain, and it’s sparking hope everywhere. Unlike traditional radiotherapy (which uses photons), this supercharged method fires protons directly into tumours, stopping the radiation from spilling over into surrounding healthy tissue.
Why it matters:
Fewer side effects: Because proton beams halt right where the tumour lurks, there’s far less damage to healthy cells.
Kid-friendly: In children, it drastically cuts the risk of future complications and developmental issues.
High precision: Proton therapy offers a safer option for treating brain tumours, base-of-skull cancers, ocular melanoma, sarcomas, and lymphomas.
Ten new units set to boost Spanish frontline by 2026
Right now, only two private centres in Spain offer proton therapy. But from 2026 onwards, that’s all set to change. A whopping 10 new facilities will open across the country, thanks in large part to a €280 million donation from the Fundación Amancio Ortega. Expect to see these high-tech centres sprouting in Galicia, Cataluña, Madrid, Andalucía, País Vasco, Valencia, and the Canary Islands.
Galicia on the go:
The Galician unit in the North of Spain is tipped to be the first fully operational site, with doors flinging open in January 2026.
The Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla in Santander is expected to follow suit that same year, giving more Spaniards public access to this revolutionary treatment.
So why the delay? The hefty cost of building and running these units- and the need for specialised staff – kept Spain trailing behind. But as oncologists see it, Spain will catapult from straggler to European leader in proton therapy in just a few short years.
Stay tuned for more updates – because this cancer-crushing journey is only just starting.
How is this different than the proton therapy that has been in the US for several years? Mainly for prostate cancer?
Right now, only two private centres in Spain offer proton therapy. But from 2026 onwards, that’s all set to change. A whopping 10 new facilities will open across the country, thanks in large part to a €280 million donation from the Fundación Amancio Ortega
Loma Linda University in California has been wooing this for twenty years, I had some treatment for Schwannoma but had to have radiation ten years later.
“stopping the radiation from spilling over into surrounding healthy tissue.”
That would be the holy grail of radiotherapy.
I know, from hard family experience, that radiation can do wonders at killing cancer... but the collateral damage can be lethal to the patient.
“..Unlike traditional radiotherapy (which uses photons)..”
definitely not photons...
This seems to be the difference.
X-Ray is photons
“definitely not photons...”
High energy photons are used in cancer radiation treatment.
And gamma too.
There are many proton therapy centers in the US that fire protons directly into tumors. I think they are the same.
Does it work for cancers that have metastasize?
Does it work for blood cancers?
Gamma is the region (highest energy photons) in the frequency band.
RE: There are many proton therapy centers in the US that fire protons directly into tumors. I think they are the same.
If we already have them here in the USA, what makes Spain’s so special?
And don’t other advanced countries like Germany, Switzerland or those in Scandinavia have them?
That was my thought as well. The reporter really didn’t distinguish the differences.
I was in the fraternity during my undergrad days. ; -)
Yep. We already have proton therapy here in the U.S. Maybe Spain didn’t have it until now.
PSU-Hershey, John’s Hopkins, UPenn Med and many other have had *proton therapy* for years. Is there a difference?
“...has just arrived in Spain...”
So, did the aliens 👽 drop it off, or what?
It’s not just mainly prostate cancer. It’s useful for many types of cancer.
There are many cases of prostate cancer where proton therapy is not appropriate. Metastatic prostate cancer is one of them if it has spread to bones like mine was.
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