Mevion S250 Proton Therapy System Lowers Costs, Approved in Europe

May 2012, Vol 3, No 3

The Mevion S250 Proton Therapy System has received marketing approval in Europe but is still pending clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Proton-beam radiation therapy is most often used for cancer therapy, but it is not widely used and is very expensive. Several studies have shown promising results for this type of therapy for the treatment of locally advanced sinonasal malignancies; it has also been used to treat patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

The primary advantage of proton therapy over other types of external-beam radiotherapy is its ability to more precisely localize the radiation dose. Its huge cost has limited its availability and utilization.

If approved in the United States, the Mevion S250 will significantly lower the cost, size, and complexity of proton therapy to levels similar to x-ray radiation therapy, according to the manufacturer. Medscape, March 15, 2012.

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