Proton Therapy

Home to the world’s first clinical installation of Proteus®ONE, Willis Knighton Cancer Center offers cutting-edge cancer treatment technology. IBA Proteus®ONE is a compact, pencil-beam scanning, intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) system designed for external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). This advanced treatment uses proton beams to target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs. Unlike traditional radiation, protons stop at a specific depth, preventing them from traveling through the body and affecting healthy areas. This is especially useful for treating tumors close to vital structures such as the brain, spinal cord, optic nerve, heart, lung, bladder and rectum.

The Proteus®ONE is a single-room, compact-gantry system that uses a cyclotron-generated proton beam that is controlled to target a specific treatment area.

Advanced imaging tools, including cone-beam CT guidance and stereoscopic imaging, allow for precise visualization of the patient’s anatomy and treatment area. This, combined with a robotic couch that can adjust in six directions, ensures accurate positioning for optimal treatment.

To enhance your experience, the Proteus®ONE is equipped with the Philips Ambient Experience, which allows you to choose soothing sounds, colors and videos. Your custom environment helps reduce anxiety and improve comfort during therapy.

In recognition of their work commissioning the Proteus®ONE system, members of our radiation oncology team received The George Starkschall Award of Excellence for an outstanding radiation oncology physics article published in the “Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics” in 2018.