Proton Therapy Center Unveiled at Miami Cancer Institute

Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida and the only member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance in the state, has begun treating patients at South Florida’s first state-of-the-art Proton Therapy Center.

As one of the most advanced methods of radiation oncology available today, proton therapy delivers pinpoint doses of radiation to cancerous tumors while sparing surrounding tissues and organs from exposure. Proton therapy has shown to produce fewer short and long-term side effects for patients.

“We’re delighted to unveil our Proton Therapy Center and to have successfully treated our first patients, many of whom are adults and children diagnosed with aggressive cancer types that benefit most from proton therapy,” said Minesh Mehta, M.D., deputy director and chief of radiation oncology at Miami Cancer Institute. “As one of the most innovative treatment modalities available, proton therapy promises numerous advantages for patients and further positions the Institute’s radiation oncology program at the leading-edge of cancer treatment and care both locally and internationally,” Dr. Mehta added.

(The Proton Therapy Center at Miami Cancer Institute has begun treating patients in three state-of-the-art therapy rooms. Video by Steve Pipho)

Proton therapy is particularly effective in treating childhood cancers and adults diagnosed with cancers of the brain, head and neck, spine, lung, esophagus, liver, prostate, and certain left-sided breast cancers.

“The launch of our Proton Therapy Center is just one more example of how our Institute is delivering on its promise of cutting-edge technology and treatment offerings for patients in South Florida and beyond,” said Michael J. Zinner, M.D., founding CEO and executive medical director at Miami Cancer Institute. “We are one of only a few cancer facilities in the world to provide patients with this this level of advanced radiation therapy, and I couldn’t be prouder of the hard work and dedication of our staff in delivering this center to our community,” Dr. Zinner said.