Because proton therapy targets a specific area, it’s important for the patient to be in the exact same position for each treatment. We use bean bags, masks and other items to help patients stay still, but sometimes young children may have a hard time doing this. If your child has a difficult time staying in one place, their physician may suggest general anesthesia, a medicine that will make your child fall asleep prior to a procedure.

Anesthesiologists from Seattle Children’s, who specialize in working with children, provide our anesthesia services. Anesthesia is not available for adult patients.

During a fixed beam treatment, radiation is delivered from a fixed point while the patient is moved around the beam. To do this, the patient lies on a table while the fixed beam delivers protons in a single direction.

The incline beam system uses two beams and a robotic patient positioner to deliver radiation from a variety of angles. Patients either sit in a specialized chair or lie on a robotic table, which helps position the patient for radiation treatment.

The gantry is a large, sphere-shaped structure that houses the equipment used to deliver protons to the patient. The gantry is three stories tall and built into a large concrete casing. The patient enters the treatment area on the second floor. The gantry allows the beam to rotate 360 degrees around the patient, allowing delivery of radiation from any angle within a single plane. In conjunction with an adjustable treatment table, nearly any treatment angle desired can be achieved.