Proton therapy provides pediatric patients a treatment option that minimizes impact on long-term growth and development
Today, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute announced its intent to file an application for Determination of Need (DON) with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) to develop a proton therapy cancer center on Dana-Farber's Longwood campus.
Proton therapy is a highly specialized form of radiation that precisely treats tumors with minimal radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. For some cancers, it allows for a higher dose of radiation to be delivered, thereby improving disease control and outcomes. Proton therapy is especially beneficial for pediatric cancer patients because it delivers targeted radiation, which helps pediatric patients survive cancer and maintain a better quality of life as they grow.
Dana-Farber's new proton therapy center will be the first in the region to deliver proton therapy to patients in a seated or inclined position, utilizing a compact cyclotron system that moves the patient around the proton beam, rather than moving the proton beam around the patient. By decreasing the size and cost of proton therapy, this life-saving treatment will become more accessible to cancer patients who need it most.
To continue providing the highest quality comprehensive cancer care to patients, and to help fill an overwhelming unmet need, Dana-Farber will make proton therapy accessible to healthcare providers across the region. The proton therapy center will serve patients who are being treated at Dana-Farber, as well as local pediatric and adult patients who will receive proton therapy at Dana-Farber and return to their respective hospitals for follow-up care.
"A new proton therapy facility would bring the latest cutting-edge treatments to patients and further advance our mission to provide expert, compassionate, and equitable oncology care to children and adults with cancer. We look forward to discussing this proposal in greater detail with the Department of Public Health, highlighting the need for the facility and the benefit to patients in and around Massachusetts," said Dr. Benjamin L. Ebert, president and CEO of Dana-Farber Center Institute.
The DON process, overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, is a framework for analysis to promote population health and increased public health value.
