Proton Therapy

What Is Proton Therapy?

Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy. Instead of using X-rays like traditional radiation therapy, proton therapy uses streams of protons to deliver radiation that can kill cancer cells. Most of the protons completely stop within the tumor, maximizing the potential treatment benefits while minimizing the risk of injuring surrounding healthy tissue.

Our specially trained radiation oncologists and physicists know how to best use proton therapy to accurately target the radiation dose to the tumorin the shortest amount of time. By fine-tuning your treatment, they can limit side effects and enhance your quality of life.

You can learn more about proton therapy from The National Association for Proton Therapy.

Cancers and Tumors We Treat

At Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, we use proton therapy to treat a wide range of cancers. Our specialists will work with you to determine if proton therapy is right for you. The cancers we treat include:

• Anal cancer
• Base-of-skull tumors
• Brain tumors
• Breast cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Gynecologic cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• Liver/Bile Duct cancer
• Lung cancer
• Lymphoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Paraspinal tumors
• Pediatric cancers
• Prostate cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Sarcoma
• Spinal cord tumors

How Proton Therapy Works

How Pencil Beam Scanning Works

Proton Therapy and Children

Proton therapy is ideal for treating pediatric cancers that require radiation therapy. Its precise delivery reduces unwanted side effects during and shortly after treatment, while also minimizing the chance of long-term side effects.

More About Proton Therapy

Our radiation oncologists frequently use proton therapy in combination with other treatments, including other forms of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. We will work with you to design an individualized treatment plan based on your type of cancer and its location.

Is Proton Therapy Right for You?

To determine if proton therapy is right for you, your care team will evaluate your type of cancer, its location and your overall well-being. They may also recommend combining proton therapy with other treatments. We offer all the most advanced treatment technologies, so we will discuss the full ranges of options available to you.

Your Proton Therapy Experience

At Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, we believe every patient deserves convenient, personalized care. We also understand the importance of an inviting, supportive treatment space. Our warm, welcoming expert staff are ready to tend to every aspect of your treatment. And our tranquil patient-influenced facility promotes healing. You can explore our beautiful outdoor spaces, and our three treatment rooms — named Honor, Overcome, and Positive which are all supported by the cyclotron named Empower (HOPE) — which offer ambient personalized lighting, relaxation videos, music of your choice, ample privacy and comfortable amenities to enhance your treatment experience.

Proton Therapy Treatments

The number of proton therapy sessions you need will depend on your type and stage of cancer. Most treatments are delivered without requiring any overnight stays in the hospital.

Our radiation oncologists will take a CT and possibily an MRI scan of the treatment aread to decide how many visits you need and how much radiation to deliver. At this time, an immobilization device will be created to ensure you are comfortably and accurately positioned each day for your treatment. Most patients receive several treatments each week over multiple weeks.

During your treatment, we will set you up on our robotic patient positioner with your immobilization device. The treatment team will obtain scans to make sure you are properly positioned for the treatment. We may reposition you several times to ensure utmost accuracy. Patients do not feel the proton radiation, and each treatment session usually lasts between 20and 45minutes.

Patients rarely require anesthesia, so you will be able to talk with your care team during your therapy. We sometimes give sedatives to young children to help them stay still during their session. In most cases you can return to your normal activities immediately.