Dear Dr. SerVaas,

What is the recovery rate for proton radiation therapy for prostate cancer? There are a few facilities offering this, including a hospital in Loma Linda, California. Why isn't it accepted throughout the country? I would like information about this procedure.

R. Alexander
Torrance, California

Dr. Koch again replies:

"The recovery rate after proton therapy for prostate cancer is similar to that of other forms of radiation. Because proton facilities are extremely expensive to build, their development has been limited to a few centers in the United States. Proton therapy has very predictable characteristics on tissue. As a result, radiation oncologists are able to increase the dose used and theoretically improve the treatment's effectiveness on the cancer."