Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health’s Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute is proud to be the home of Central Pennsylvania’s only Proton Therapy Center. The new center builds on Penn Medicine’s investment in proton therapy, led by the Roberts Proton Therapy Center in Philadelphia, which opened in 2010.
Understanding Proton Therapy for Cancer
Proton therapy is a noninvasive, painless and highly accurate radiation therapy that can treat some types of cancer.
All radiation therapy treatments use a focused beam of energy to destroy tumor cells by damaging the cancer cell’s DNA. Traditional radiation therapy, while effective, can potentially cause damage to healthy tissue surrounding the tumor.
Proton therapy uses proton energy (positively charged atoms) rather than photon energy (X-rays) used in traditional radiation treatments. Traditional radiation enters the body from one side and exits the other side. Normal tissues in the path of these X-rays are exposed to radiation.
With proton therapy, doctors can tightly control the path of the radiation beam to more precisely target only the tumor. This precision spares more healthy tissue and can reduce some side effects of radiation therapy.
Proton Therapy: The Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Advantage
Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is a trusted provider for cancer treatment. We are excited to offer proton therapy as part of our comprehensive cancer treatment in Lancaster and surrounding communities. When you choose us for proton therapy, you’ll find:
- An exceptional team of radiation therapy specialists: Our radiation oncologists have specialized training in proton beam therapy. They’ll work closely with your cancer team to plan the most effective treatment for you. In collaboration with our colleagues at the Penn Medicine Roberts Proton Therapy Center, we stay at the forefront of advances in proton therapy treatment and research.
- Support when you need it: From nutrition help to financial counseling, the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute is committed to providing all the cancer support services patients and caregivers need. Our Cancer Institute Boutique offers services that help you manage the physical changes that often go along with cancer treatment. We’re here for you when you need us most.
- World-class proton therapy treatment, close to home: Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health’s Proton Therapy Center is the first community hospital in the world to offer the newest generation of compact proton therapy machines. People in Central Pennsylvania no longer need to travel to Philadelphia or outside Pennsylvania for this advanced treatment. You’ll remain comfortable and close to home and still get the most advanced treatment available anywhere.
Advantages of Proton Therapy
Proton therapy is the most precise type of radiation therapy available. Our doctors tightly shape the proton beam to fit the shape and depth of individual tumors. The beam delivers a concentrated dose of radiation shaped to the tumor tissue, resulting in potential benefits including:
- Less damage to healthy tissue near the tumor
- Fewer side effects and less pain, leading to faster recovery
- Improved tolerance and less complications from chemotherapy or surgery after radiation
- Protection for tissue in sensitive areas, such as the heart, lungs and brain
- Options for treating cancer that returns after previous surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy
The Lancaster General Health Proton Therapy Team
Proton therapy is a highly specialized treatment that requires specialized training. Our team includes experts in all aspects of radiation therapy, including:
- Radiation oncologist doctors, who specialize in using radiation therapy to treat cancer
- Radiation dosimetrists and physicists, who calculate and plan the right radiation dose and treatment angle for each patient
- Radiation nurses, who help patients understand radiation treatment, answer questions and manage side effects
- Radiation therapists, who put patients in the right position for treatment, align the machine and deliver the radiation therapy
- Biomedical equipment technicians, who perform quality checks on radiation machines
Cancers We Treat with Proton Therapy
Ongoing research is always expanding the list of cancers we can treat with proton therapy. Our doctors use their expertise to determine which patients will most benefit from this treatment. Cancers we may treat with proton therapy include:
- Brain and spinal tumors
- Breast cancers
- Gynecologic cancers
- Gastrointestinal cancers
- Head and neck cancers
- Lung cancer
- Lymphoma
- Mesothelioma
- Prostate cancer
- Sarcomas
Additional Resources
In collaboration with Roberts Proton Therapy Center, we provide online resources that address what to expect from proton therapy and answer other commonly asked questions:
Contact Us About Proton Therapy in Central Pennsylvania
To learn more about proton radiation therapy treatment, call our nurse navigator at 717-544-3940. We’ll schedule a consult with a member of our clinical team to discuss your treatment options.