The Hospital at the University of PA (HUP) also has proton therapy. I am three weeks in. Proton, as we affectionately call it, has not been tested in head to head with IMRT but anecdotally and logically it has less toxic than photon therapy. Mainly because there is less collateral damage to non-target cells. The beam is tighter and can be more precisely focused. The beam drops all of its energy at the site determined by the treatment plan and does not pass through the other side.

I wouldn't say Medicare is pushing it so much as is willing to pay for it. I am at 15 of 33 Gy and generally feeling ok. My mouth is painful, I have thrush and swallowing is becoming a problem. But my energy level and appetite are good and I still have some taste left. There is no apparent damage other than a bit of skin reddness at the radiation site.

I'd be interested in knowing how this compares to someone receiving IMRT.