TAMPA – The BayCare Proton Center is now open and accepting patients.
Located at the Fred J. Woods Radiation Therapy Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital, the new proton center gives eligible patients access to proton therapy, a specialized form of radiation treatment.
Proton therapy uses charged particles to precisely target tumors while reducing radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue. This approach may be helpful when cancers are near critical organs and for some pediatric patients whose bodies are still developing.
The center uses a compact proton therapy system from Mevion Medical Systems designed to integrate into existing health care settings. An upright patient positioning chair allows patients to receive proton treatment while seated.
BayCare said a seated position will improve comfort and make the treatment less stressful. The patient chair will enable improved tolerance to proton therapy for patients who can’t lie flat on a table due to medical conditions.
BayCare said this is the second site in the world to use this technology.
“The upright patient chair is an important differentiating technology of our proton therapy system, enabling our team to provide more comfortable treatments while maintaining the high precision of proton therapy,” said Dr. John Greskovich, medical director of the BayCare Department of Radiation Oncology. “Bringing this advanced technology to West Central Florida gives patients in our community greater access to proton therapy and is an important option as patients make decisions about their cancer care.”
The $33 million investment strengthens cancer care services across BayCare’s network, expanding the treatment options available through its cancer care network.
BayCare has accredited radiation oncology programs at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg and Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven.
BayCare’s cancer care network includes surgery centers, breast cancer centers, radiation oncology centers, infusion and chemotherapy centers and oncology physician offices across the region.
BayCare said proton therapy gives eligible patients another treatment option to discuss with their physicians.
Visit baycare.org/specialties-and-treatments/cancer to learn more about proton therapy and available cancer services at BayCare Cancer Institute.
