Has anyone experienced proton therapy for cancer?

I finished 5 weeks (25 treatments) of proton therapy. It wasn't too bad. I didn't have any real side effects till I was done. It felt like a real bad sunburn. It took about 3 weeks for it to go away. It was better than a spinal tap. 😂

Thanks Colleen. So you don’t have any skin issues then?

I just finished 16 treatments of proton therapy. I had no side effects during the treatments but since I've finished, I've noticed a mild burning sensation (like sunburn). Also, the skin in that area is pretty dark with freckles. The doctor says that will lighten and become smoother over the next month. The hardest part to me was having to go every weekday

Yes, I have to go Monday - Friday for 5 weeks starting next month. Can you let me know how your skin is by the end of this month?

Yes I will

The treatment goes by really fast. I felt nothing

I finished 6 weeks(33 days) of treatment three weeks ago. No problems during treatment, just fatigued. Three days after I got real bad radiation burns. Lasted about a week and know skin is healing. Still using Aquaphor

I'm having more irritating burning sensations now. It's been a little over a week since my last treatment, and it's been like this for 2-3 days. I'd rate the pain about a 4 out of 10. Using the cream the hospital gave me as well as calendula oil. My skin is considerably darker than it was during treatment. I hope this only lasts a week.

Congratulations on completing chemotherapy - that's a significant milestone in your treatment journey. Many patients in this community have shared their experiences with proton therapy, and it's great that you're exploring all your radiation options. Consider discussing the benefits and potential differences with your radiation oncologist, as they can help determine what approach might work best for your specific situation. Hoping others here will share their experiences to help guide your decision.