Proton Beam Therapy

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Proton Therapy at OSF Cancer Institute

Choosing the right cancer care partner can be one of the most important decisions you ever make. The specialists at OSF Cancer Institute are highly trained and have dedicated their entire careers to fighting cancer for adults and children.

As one of less than 40 institutes in the United States to offer proton therapy and only the second in Illinois, OSF Cancer Institute offers life-saving treatments. It allows us to treat the hardest to reach tumors precisely and causes fewer side effects compared to traditional radiation.

What is proton therapy?

Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment. It precisely targets cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Unlike traditional radiation therapy, which uses X-rays, proton therapy uses protons, allowing doctors to focus the treatment more accurately on the tumor. This precision is especially beneficial for treating cancers near vital organs or in sensitive areas.

Cancers we treat:

What are the benefits of proton therapy?

One of the biggest advantages is its ability to precisely target tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. This precision is crucial for treating cancers located near sensitive areas like the brain, spine or eyes, where traditional radiation might cause more harm. Proton therapy also tends to have fewer side effects, which means patients often feel better during and after treatment. Additionally, because it delivers radiation so accurately, it can be used at higher doses to increase the effectiveness of treatment without increasing risks.

What are the risks of proton therapy?

The risks of proton beam therapy are still being studied. The effectiveness varies depending on the type of cancer, location and progression of the tumor, and your overall health. Although proton therapy is extremely precise, there is still a small chance that healthy cells surrounding the cancer cells may be affected by proton therapy.

What are the side effects of proton therapy?

Like all radiation treatments, proton therapy can cause side effects, although they tend to be less severe. Common side effects might include fatigue, skin irritation at the treatment site or temporary hair loss if the therapy targets the head.

What To Expect

When receiving proton therapy, a member of your care team will help you get set up in the treatment room. While you’ll be alone in the room during the procedure, you’ll remain connected to your care team through video and audio, allowing you to communicate with them at any time. You’ll lie on the table as your providers adjust the proton therapy machine to the precise position needed. The machine will move around you to ensure the proton beam targets the tumor from the optimal angle.

Planning Your Travel

If you're traveling to Peoria for proton therapy, we've got you covered. From ways to get here to finding the best local hotels, our comprehensive guide ensures your stay is as smooth and comfortable as possible so you can focus on what’s most important. Explore driving directions, parking information and nearby attractions to make the most of your time here.

Plan Your Stay

Proton vs. Photon Radiation Therapy

Photon therapy is traditional radiation therapy. Photon therapy has an entrance dose – where the energy enters your body – and an exit dose – where the energy exits your body. Because it isn’t limited to a specific area, nearby cells often get radiation, as well.

Proton therapy goes in the body only as far as the tumor, so it has no exit dose. It is targeted to one specific spot, which means that nearby healthy cells are not affected by the radiation as much. There are some cases when photon therapy is a better treatment option than proton therapy.

Learn About the Difference

The Technology of Proton Therapy

Proton therapy is a highly advanced form of technology. It uses protons, which are positively charged particles. The machine creates a focused beam of protons to hit the cancer cells precisely. This beam destroys the DNA of the cancer cells but not the healthy cells around them. This helps to destroy current cancer cells and prevent cancer from growing and multiplying.

Discover More About How It Works

1310 North Missouri Avenue
Peoria, IL 61603

(844) 673-4467

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Celebrating milestones

As the first person to receive proton therapy at OSF Cancer Institute, Tim Scott has a lot to celebrate by ringing the bell. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer, he wanted to start treatment immediately. He did his research and got recommendations from his care team. He had 28 treatments and was the first person to start proton therapy at OSF Cancer Institute.

Read Tim's Story

We're Here for You

To request an appointment, call 1-844-OSF-4-HOPE, 1-844-673-4467, or fill out the form. Our team is available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

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