Hi @rogerlee3,

Radiotherapy has offered up Proton Beam as opposed to the traditional Photon radiation. Although not as commonplace as Photon because of the size of the machine and its initial costs. A few years back there was only about a dozen but looks like when I researched it there are now about 45 of these Proton Radiation machines see link: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/oncology/45-cancer-centers-with-proton-therapy-in-the-us.html.

I live in Wisconsin, and they are just completing one at Froedtert & MCW Health and the UW-Carbone Cancer clinics. I am a patient at Froedtert, and they are massive. Matter of fact both of these clinics built them from the foundation for the new buildings where they will be housed. I wish I had one of these back in 2008 when I received my first head and neck cancer (left tonsil) and had 35 rounds (70GY) of the Photon radiation and 3 rounds of Cisplatin (chemo) and no surgery, I would have avoided my second and third cancer which I unfortunately received in 2024.

When you heard your doctor say Proton is used for extremely precise radiation that should have been the key to why so many of us promote Proton radiation.
Did your doctor tell you that Photon radiation is more like a flashlight beam enters body full force, treats/ targets your tumor area, AND continues through the body full force. That exposes the tissues and organs before getting to your tumor, and exposes the radiation to tissues and organ beyond your turmor.
Proton radiation is very precise like a pencil beam hitting the target and can enter body at lower dose, full dose at the location programmed AND does not exit the body stopping at the pre designated site.
In my opinion Proton is more targeted with less side effects. However, It is a battle as insurance companies do not want to pay for Proton when Photon is 50% less costly or more.

God Bless you on your journey.