Cancer treatment received a major update.
After being diagnosed in April 2024 with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare form of salivary gland cancer, Tiffiney Beard anticipated a challenging battle ahead. This type of cancer is known for attacking nerve pathways, often causing symptoms like fatigue, jaw pain, trouble eating, and cognitive issues. In Beard’s case, the disease had already reached nerves connected to her brain, raising the stakes of treatment.
Despite the seriousness of her condition, Beard experienced none of the typical side effects associated with radiation therapy. Her doctors utilized a cutting-edge method known as proton arc therapy—a precise and automated radiation treatment that targets tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
Following the surgical removal of a tumor roughly the size of a gumball, Beard underwent 33 proton arc therapy sessions over three months. Remarkably, she continued working full-time and reported no adverse effects from the treatment. Her case has since been documented in the International Journal of Particle Therapy as the first known instance of this advanced technique being applied to head and neck cancer in the U.S.
Dr. Rohan Deraniyagala, Beard’s radiation oncologist at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Michigan, highlighted the complexity of treating nerve-invading tumors. He emphasized the benefits of proton arc therapy, which employs positively charged particles to deliver radiation with greater precision than conventional X-rays. This accuracy allowed Beard to complete her treatment without complications, aside from mild skin discoloration.
As of August 2024, Beard remains cancer-free with no radiation-related damage to other parts of her body. Dr. Deraniyagala is optimistic that this success marks a promising step forward in cancer care, offering hope that more patients will benefit from this evolving form of therapy in the future.
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