Proton Therapy

Experts in Radiation Therapy Have Every Tool at their Fingertips

Baptist Health has the only cancer center in the world to offer all the latest radiation therapy technologies under one roof. That means we can use the exact radiation treatment that has proven most successful for your type of cancer.

Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute chose to invest in proton therapy because we know that it is an important tool to have in the community for treating cancer.

Proton Therapy Treatment

We can treat the following diseases with proton therapy at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute. You’re welcome to request a consultation with one of our experts to find out if proton therapy is right for you.

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

Our team of cancer experts will work together to recommend the best treatment for your individual needs.

How does Proton Therapy Work?

Pencil-Beam Scanning Is Precise

Proton therapy uses beams of radiation about the width of a pencil. Like a 3D printer, small pencil beams of protons with different energies deliver dose to the tumor, one layer at a time. This enables us to closely follow the shape of the tumor in 3D and avoid healthy tissue.

Advantages of Proton Therapy For Children

If your family is facing childhood cancer, proton therapy offers a new measure of hope for effectiveness and gentleness. Proton therapy can minimize unwanted side effects. This makes it ideal for pediatric cancers requiring radiotherapy treatment. Our proton therapy area has dedicated equipment for pediatric patients.

Is proton therapy right for me?

We want to help you make an informed, confident choice about your cancer care. After assessing your specific needs, your medical team will discuss whether you are a good candidate for proton therapy. We will consider factors like your type of cancer, its location and your physical well-being.

If you would like to request a consultation, please call 786-596-2000 or fill out our online form. and our team will be happy to help you. To learn more about proton therapy, please view the following information provided by The National Association for Proton Therapy.

Your Proton Therapy Experience

At Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, we believe that every patient deserves exceptional care — with the best possible treatment options and the highest level of compassion.

When you arrive, our staff will greet you and tend to every aspect of your treatment with skill and kindness. Our patients helped design our facility and beautiful outdoor spaces. The result is an environment that promotes healing: a tranquil setting filled with natural light that radiates comfort.

The three treatment rooms at the Proton Therapy Center — named Honor, Overcome and Positive — were designed with soft lighting, ample privacy and comfortable amenities to enhance your treatment experience.

What to Expect at Proton Therapy Treatments

Typically, you will receive daily proton therapy as an outpatient and will not have a need to stay overnight in the hospital. The number of treatment sessions will vary based upon your type and stage of cancer.

The first step will be developing your individual treatment plan based upon specialized CT or MRI scans. You’ll get familiar with the space and lie on a table in the same position that you will later receive treatment. Your treatment team will then determine the amount of radiation to deliver over a specific period of time. Generally, patients come to the center five times a week over multiple weeks.

When it’s time for treatment, you will lie on the treatment table and be placed in the correct treatment position. Your radiation therapists will then take images to make sure you are properly positioned. You may be repositioned several times and the process repeated.

Once the treatment area is confirmed, we will begin your treatment. You will not feel the proton radiation as it is administered, but you will hear the machine and see it rotate to different position. You will be in the proton treatment room for 20-60 minutes. Usually, patients can resume normal activities immediately after treatment.

Proactive Approach to Managing Side Effects

At Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, we will help limit how cancer treatments affect your day-to-day life. We’ll tell you what to expect during each phase of your treatment and we will take a proactive approach to managing any side effects.