Proton therapy transforms cancer treatment with its unparalleled precision in targeting tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. But how do we make this cutting-edge treatment even better? Enter the Pronumbra Head & Neck System. Designed to revolutionize proton therapy for head and neck cancer patients, the Pronumbra system combines innovation, accuracy, and patient comfort. This article will explore the benefits of proton therapy, how the Pronumbra system works, its key features, and why it’s a game-changer in proton radiation therapy.

 

What Is Proton Therapy and Why Is Precision Key?

Proton therapy is a type of radiation treatment that uses protons rather than traditional X-rays to treat cancer. Its primary advantage is precision. Unlike X-rays, which deposit radiation along a broad path through the body, protons deliver energy directly to the tumor in a highly targeted manner. This approach minimizes damage to surrounding tissues and crucial organs, making it especially beneficial for treating sensitive areas like the head and neck.

For cancers in challenging locations, accuracy is paramount. Ensuring precise delivery of the proton beam requires reproduceable immobilization systems to fix the patient’s position throughout treatment. That’s where the Pronumbra systemexcels.

 

Meet Pronumbra Head & Neck System

The Pronumbra Head & Neck System is an advanced immobilization device tailored for proton therapy. It combines cutting-edge materials and intuitive features that optimize treatment outcomes. Its design ensures consistent patient positioning, integrates seamlessly into clinical workflows, and enhances patient comfort.

 

Key Features of the Pronumbra System

Pronumbra brings innovation to the forefront with thoughtful engineering and advanced features that redefine immobilization in proton therapy. Here’s how it stands out:

1. Adjustable Shims for Customization & Precise Control

The thermoplastic mask features Integrated Shim™ feedback technology, providing real-time confirmation during setup. Clinicians can fine-tune the mask’s fit in critical areas with 0.5 mm incremental adjustments, ranging from 0 to 4 mm, for precise control and to alleviate patient stress during treatment.

2. Dedicated Baseplate for Fixation Consistency 

The dedicated baseplate ensures consistent immobilization for every patient, session after session. This consistency not only improves treatment accuracy but also streamlines workflows, saving valuable time for clinicians.

3. Comfort-focused headrest options 

The system includes a range of adjustable neck support and cushion options, designed to accommodate varying patient anatomies and ensure optimal positioning and comfort during treatment. These neck supports are designed to be used as an indexing position for cushions, ensuring stability while promoting proper positioning, precise and reproducible setups. Their adaptability helps therapists achieve individualized care, offering reliable support for a wide array of patient needs.

3. Helping Hands™ for Precise Cushion Shaping

The Helping Hands device facilitates the creation of custom-fitted cushions that conform to each patient’s unique anatomy. This added precision enhances immobilization and ultimately aids in treatment accuracy.

4. Intuitive Mask Pin System

The Pronumbra’s intuitive pin system simplifies mask attachment and removal, reducing setup time while ensuring secure fixation. It’s designed for ease of use, benefiting clinicians and minimizing patient anxiety.

 

How Pronumbra Outshines Legacy Systems

Proton therapy has relied on systems like the BoS Headframe for over 16 years. While effective, the BoS system has limited customization options and relies on basic foam shims for adjustments. Pronumbra brings a significant upgrade with its modern conformal design, integrated feedback mechanisms, and enhanced patient positioning capabilities.

Side-by-Side Comparison:

FEATURE	BOS SYSTEM	PRONUMBRA SYSTEM
Shim Technology	Precut Foam Shims	Integrated Shim with 0.5 mm incremental precision
Workflow Efficiency	Manual adjustments	Streamlined with instant feedback during setup
Cushion Crafting	Standard foam headrests No indexing location for cushions	Helping Hands for custom cushions Neck support options for indexing cushions
Beam Angle Optimization	Standard beam angles	Optimized beam entry angles
Ease of Use	Adequate	Highly intuitive design
Ease of Mask Fixation	Pin system functional but less ergonomic	Intuitive, quick-release pin desig

 

Pronumbra offers enhanced reproducibility and convenience, ensuring both precision and efficiency.

 

Data-Driven Excellence from the PTCOG Study

The Pronumbra system has been carefully tested to validate its performance under clinical conditions. Results from a 2025 clinical evaluation at Thompson Proton Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, demonstrate its superior capabilities:

1. Stable Water Equivalent Thickness (WET): Experimental and Monte Carlo simulations revealed a highly accurate WET measurement of 5.9 mm, aligning closely with TPS (treatment planning system) predictions.
2. Exceptional Reproducibility: Positional repeatability was exceptional, with variations of less than ±0.5 mm laterally and ±1.0 mm longitudinally.
3. Accurate Mask Fixation: Stable mask attachment was maintained across imaging and treatment sessions, ensuring reliable results.
4. Enhanced Patient Comfort: Advanced features like cushion customization and thoughtful design improved patient experience.

View Clinical Research Here

Clinical Benefits of the Pronumbra System

By addressing the limitations of earlier immobilization systems, Pronumbra unlocks new possibilities in proton therapy. Here’s how it benefits patients and practitioners alike:

• Optimized Proton Beam Penumbra: Pronumbra’s conformal design ensures precise beam targeting while minimizing unintended radiation exposure to surrounding tissue.
• Maximized Treatment Angles: Clinicians benefit from an expanded range of beam entry options, enabling better planning for complex cases.
• Time & Workflow Efficiency: Real-time feedback and intuitive design reduce setup time, enabling teams to focus on delivering the best care.
• Improved Treatment Accuracy: Reliable positioning and stabilization create a solid foundation for successful proton therapy outcomes.

Building Confidence in the Future of Proton Therapy

By offering precision, innovation, and patient-centered design, the Pronumbra Head & Neck System provides a tangible upgrade for clinicians and patients alike.

Proton therapy has always held the promise of delivering hope through precision. With Pronumbra, that promise is realized on an even greater scale. Together, advanced technology and compassionate care continue to redefine the possibilities in cancer treatment.