Tumours near critical structures
Skull-base, brain and spinal tumours sitting against the brainstem, optic apparatus or cord — where every gray of avoided dose matters.
Treatments
Proton therapy stops
Proton therapy stops
where the tumour ends.
Proton therapy uses charged particles instead of X-rays. Protons release most of their energy at a precise depth — the Bragg peak — then stop. Beyond the tumour, the dose falls to virtually zero, sparing the healthy tissue behind it.
~0Exit dose beyond the target
mmDepth-precision of the Bragg peak
10–35Sessions, depending on indication
Image · placeholderProton gantry treatment room — patient positioned for beam delivery
Image · placeholderPhysics illustration — Bragg peak dose curve vs conventional X-ray beam
Proton Therapy · What it is
Protons, in plain language.
Conventional radiotherapy uses X-ray beams that pass all the way through the body — depositing dose on the way in, at the tumour, and on the way out. Proton beams behave differently. A proton slows as it travels through tissue and releases the bulk of its energy in a sharp burst at a set depth, called the Bragg peak. Past that point, the beam simply stops.
By tuning the beam energy, the Bragg peak is placed exactly on the tumour. The result is a similar dose to the target with a substantially lower dose to everything behind it — critical when the tumour sits next to the brainstem, spinal cord, heart, or a child's developing tissues.
Proton therapy is not automatically better for every cancer. For many indications, modern photon techniques like VMAT and SBRT achieve equivalent outcomes. Where protons genuinely change the equation, your AARO oncologist will say so — and coordinate your referral and treatment plan accordingly.
Proton Therapy · Who is it for
Cancers and situations where Proton Therapy can help.
Proton therapy is most valuable where the anatomy leaves no margin for exit dose. These are the situations where the physics advantage translates into a clinical one.
Paediatric and young-adult cancers
Growing tissue is more sensitive to radiation. Reducing integral dose lowers the lifetime risk of growth effects and second cancers.
Re-irradiation
When a region has been treated before, the surrounding tissue has less reserve. Protons can make a second course feasible where photons cannot.
Proton Therapy · How it works
Planned like SBRT, delivered with particles.
A proton course follows the same disciplined pathway as our precision photon treatments — imaging, contouring, planning, image-guided delivery.
Image · placeholderImaging review console — contouring target and organs-at-risk
Planning CT & contouring
A planning scan in the treatment position. Your oncologist contours the tumour and every organ-at-risk, slice by slice.
Image · placeholderTreatment planning workstation — proton dose distribution
Proton plan optimisation
Physicists model each proton beam's range and Bragg peak placement, verifying the dose stops where it should — with independent checks before approval.
Image · placeholderPatient alignment — positioning lasers and imaging panels
Image-guided positioning
Millimetres matter more with protons, because range depends on the tissue in the beam path. Imaging verifies your position before every fraction.
Image · placeholderProton beam delivery in progress
Beam delivery
Each session takes 20–40 minutes, most of it positioning. The beam itself is silent and painless. Courses run from 10 to 35 sessions depending on indication.
Proton Therapy · What to expect
Familiar sessions, different physics.
From the patient's side, a proton session feels much like any modern radiotherapy session: you lie on the couch, the team positions you with imaging, and treatment is delivered while you rest still. You feel nothing during the beam.
Side effects are generally limited to the entry path and target region — skin changes, fatigue, and site-specific effects depending on what is treated. Because exit dose is minimal, some toxicities seen with conventional radiation are reduced.
You remain an outpatient throughout — driving, working, and living at home. Your AARO oncologist reviews you through the course and coordinates care with the proton facility team.
Image · placeholderPatient walking out of the treatment centre after a session
Proton Therapy · Cost & insurance
Is Proton Therapy covered?
Proton therapy is one of the costlier radiation techniques, and coverage depends on indication. MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans recognise proton therapy for specific approved indications, with claim limits that differ from conventional radiotherapy.
Before anything begins, we provide a written cost comparison — protons versus the best photon alternative for your case — so the decision is made with the numbers in front of you. Our care coordinator can verify your coverage with your insurer in advance.
Image · placeholderAARO specialists at the Centre for Stereotactic Radiosurgery
Proton Therapy · Your specialists
Meet Dr Daniel Tan→
Who guides proton therapy at AARO.
Proton therapy is recommended selectively. Your AARO radiation oncologist evaluates whether protons offer a real advantage over our precision photon platforms for your specific case, and if so, plans and coordinates your course end-to-end.
Dr Daniel TanSRS · SBRT · Brain · Spine · Oligomets
Dr Jonathan TehProstate · Breast · Gynaecological
Dr Michelle TsengLung · Thoracic · Head & Neck
Dr David TanGU · Prostate
Wondering if protons are right for your case?
Book a specialist consultation. We'll review your imaging, compare proton and photon options honestly, and recommend the pathway with the best clinical case.