Wisconsin Gets 2 New Proton Therapy Cancer Centers

Cancer patients in Wisconsin now have access to one of the most advanced treatment options in the country, right in their own backyard.

Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin treated their first patient with proton therapy last month, using a building-sized machine that accelerates proton particles to nearly the speed of light. UW Health will launch Wisconsin's second proton therapy program later this year.

"It's almost like a science fiction-type situation, that we can take these particles and we can deposit them in such a precise way to target malignant tumors," said Dr. William Hall, chair of Radiation Oncology at Froedtert and MCW. The technology can target tumors down to the millimeter while delivering less radiation to surrounding healthy tissue.

This precision makes proton therapy especially valuable for treating children with cancer. A 2023 review found the treatment particularly useful for young patients because developing organs are more vulnerable to radiation damage than adult tissue.

The treatment also opens new doors for seniors with head and neck cancers. Dr. Benjamin Durkee, medical director of UW Health's Proton Therapy Program, explained that reducing radiation to critical head structures means lower rates of feeding tube dependence and quicker recovery times.

Only about 50 proton therapy centers exist nationwide, making Wisconsin one of the few states with two facilities. The FDA approved proton therapy in 2001, but the high cost of building centers has limited availability until now.

The Ripple Effect

Both health systems decided to build these programs after determining enough patients would benefit to justify the investment. Building a proton therapy facility costs between $100 million and $200 million, but doctors say the patient impact makes it worthwhile.

The treatment helps patients who have already received radiation therapy by limiting additional radiation exposure. It's also valuable for tumors near ultra-sensitive organs that still require high doses of radiation, including head and neck cancers and liver cancers.

Insurance coverage concerns are being addressed through simulation technology. Doctors can run comparison plans to demonstrate specific benefits for individual patients, then share that evidence with insurers to secure approval.

Dr. Hall emphasized that these new programs strengthen the collaborative approach to cancer care. Teams of radiation oncologists, chemotherapy doctors, surgeons, and other specialists work together through multidisciplinary clinics and tumor boards to determine the best treatment for each patient.

Wisconsin patients now have world-class cancer treatment options close to home, bringing hope and healing without the need to travel across the country.