Proton Therapy Advances Breast Cancer Care in Palm Beach County

Advances in breast cancer treatment are reshaping how radiation therapy is delivered — with a growing focus not only on eliminating tumors, but also on protecting long-term health and quality of life

“With today’s technology, it’s no longer just about treating the cancer — it’s about how we treat it,” says Youssef Zeidan, M.D., a radiation oncologist at Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health. “Our goal is to deliver radiation with precision while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues, so patients can maintain their quality of life long after treatment ends.”

A New Era of Precision Oncology

One of the most significant advancements now available in Palm Beach County is proton therapy. Unlike traditional photon radiation, which passes through the body and continues beyond the tumor, proton therapy can be controlled to stop at a specific depth.

“Proton therapy allows us to more precisely target the tumor while limiting radiation beyond it,” Dr. Zeidan explains. “In simple terms, we can better focus treatment on where it’s needed and reduce unnecessary exposure to surrounding healthy structures.” This precision is particularly meaningful for women with left-sided breast cancer, where the heart lies close to the treatment area.

Protecting Your Heart and Managing Your Risks

For patients with left-sided breast cancer, even small amounts of radiation exposure to the heart can increase the risk of heart disease later in life, says Joseph Panoff, M.D., a radiation oncologist at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute.

“Modern photon techniques, including breath-hold methods, already do an excellent job reducing that risk,” says Dr. Panoff. But in certain cases — especially when the heart sits very close to the chest wall — proton therapy may offer an additional layer of protection.”

Proton and Photon Therapy Under One Roof

Both physicians emphasize that treatment decisions are highly individualized.

“Proton therapy is a powerful tool, but it’s not automatically the best choice for every patient,” Dr. Panoff says. “Traditional photon radiation remains extremely effective and safe for most breast cancer cases. We carefully evaluate each patient’s anatomy, cancer stage, overall health and long-term risk factors before recommending a specific approach.”

Dr. Zeidan adds that having both technologies available in one location strengthens personalized care.

“When we have access to both photon and proton therapy under one roof, we can truly tailor treatment,” he says. “We’re not forced into a one-size-fits-all solution. We can select the approach that offers the greatest benefit for each individual patient.”

Under Study: Reducing Radiation Intensity

Beyond precision, evolving research is also changing how much treatment some patients may need.

“We’re seeing incredible progress in chemotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy,” Dr. Panoff notes. “In some cases, patients have such a strong response to systemic therapy that we’re studying whether we can safely reduce the intensity of radiation — what we call de-escalation — without compromising cure rates.”

Proton therapy may also open new possibilities for patients whose cancer recurs after prior radiation.

“Historically, recurrence after radiation often meant mastectomy,” Dr. Zeidan says. “Now, with more precise radiation techniques, we’re exploring whether select patients may be candidates for another breast-conserving surgery followed by carefully targeted radiation. Because previously treated tissues are more sensitive, precision becomes even more critical.”

Advanced Cancer Care Closer to Home

For patients in Palm Beach County, access to proton therapy close to home represents an important milestone.

“Receiving advanced treatment within your own community reduces the emotional and logistical burden of cancer care,” Dr. Zeidan says. “Patients can remain near their families and support systems, which is incredibly important during treatment.”

Ultimately, both physicians agree that the focus of modern breast cancer care extends beyond survival.

“As outcomes continue to improve, survivorship becomes central to everything we do,” Dr. Panoff says. “Protecting the heart, minimizing unnecessary radiation and personalizing treatment plans are all part of ensuring that our patients not only live longer — but live well.”

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