What is
proton Therapy?
Proton therapy is a very precise form of radiation. It uses energy particles to destroy cancerous cells while avoiding healthy tissue.
Forty-seven Oncology Centers offer Proton Therapy in the United States, and six centers are in Florida, but Ackerman Cancer Center is the first private physician-owned practice to offer Proton Therapy. We are proud to offer this exceptional level of treatment to the Southeast.
A beam of proton particles delivers a powerful dose of radiation to the precise site of the tumor. This process allows Ackerman Cancer Center’s board-certified radiation oncologists to treat cancer and significantly reduce damage to healthy organs and surrounding tissue. This translates to fewer side effects as compared to conventional radiation therapy.
Proton therapy is sometimes used alone in cancer treatment, and may be also combined with surgery and/or chemotherapy.
Proton Therapy
How it works:
Protons are sub-atomic particles that move quickly through healthy tissue, depositing cancer-destroying radiation at the tumor site. Proton therapy is one of the most precise, and advanced radiation treatment modalities available.
This focused deposition of radiation energy in the tumor is due to the Bragg Peak. Since the proton’s energy is focused on the tumor, virtually no radiation travels beyond the Bragg Peak, there is a tremendous reduction of radiation exposure and damage to adjacent tissues and organs.
Advantages of Proton Therapy
Healthy organs and tissue are exposed to significantly less radiation than with conventional radiation therapies.
The tumor can receive a higher dose of radiation than with traditional radiation treatments, resulting in better tumor control.
Reduced risk of cancer recurrence.
Fewer side effects and complications.
Lower risk of radiation-induced second malignancies.
Quick timeline to treatment.
Brighter quality of life during and after treatment.
Painless and non-invasive.
Measurable advantages of Proton Therapy
Breast Cancer
Proton therapy can deliver up to 60–90% lower radiation dose to the heart compared with advanced photon techniques for left‑sided breast cancer, helping reduce long‑term cardiac complications.
Prostate Cancer
Modern studies show biochemical disease control rates exceeding 90% for many low‑ to intermediate‑risk patients, demonstrating proton therapy’s excellent long‑term efficacy.
Head and Neck Cancers
Proton therapy has been shown to reduce feeding‑tube (gastrostomy) placement to approximately 20–30% of patients, compared to about 35–40% with photon radiation, improving quality of life during and after treatment.
We use Proton Therapy to treat these and other cancers.
Is Proton Therapy
right for me?
We believe in Proton Therapy.
Proton Therapy may be new to you, but it is not new in curing cancer. The idea of Proton Therapy was first introduced in 1946 when Robert R Wilson, Ph.D. outlined the advantages of proton beam radiation over conventional photon radiation, and in 1954, the first clinical use of Proton Therapy was initiated to treat cancer. Since then, Proton Therapy continues to be a prominent force in cancer treatments.
Ackerman Cancer Center only uses evidence-based treatments. All of our providers, therapists, and specialists stay up to date on the latest research, techniques and technology. While our providers pride themselves on being innovative practitioners, continually searching for the best-personalized treatment, they always base their care on science and value collaborative-discussion with other industry-leading colleagues.