Wisconsin Launches Two New Proton Therapy Cancer Programs

Cancer patients in Wisconsin just gained access to a treatment so precise it sounds like science fiction.

Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin treated their first patient last month using proton therapy, a rare cancer treatment that accelerates proton particles to nearly the speed of light. UW Health will launch the state's second proton therapy program later this year, making Wisconsin one of the few states with multiple centers offering this advanced care.

The technology targets cancerous tumors down to the millimeter while depositing far less radiation in surrounding healthy tissue than traditional radiation therapy. Dr. William Hall, chair of Froedtert's Department of Radiation Oncology, explains that the treatment can be life-changing for patients who've already undergone radiation or have tumors near sensitive organs.

"For certain tumors like head and neck cancers or liver cancers, or tumors that are really close to ultra-sensitive organs but require high doses of radiation, proton therapy can be helpful," Hall said.

Only about 50 proton therapy centers exist nationwide, even though the FDA approved the treatment back in 2001. Building just one facility costs between $100 million and $200 million, which is why both Wisconsin health systems spent years planning before breaking ground.

The treatment shows particular promise for children with cancer. Growing organs in pediatric patients are especially vulnerable to radiation damage, and proton therapy's precision helps protect developing tissue while still targeting tumors effectively.

Dr. Benjamin Durkee, medical director of UW Health's upcoming Proton Therapy Program, says seniors with head and neck cancers could also see major benefits. Research shows these patients experience lower rates of feeding tube dependence and faster returns to normal life compared to traditional radiation.

The Ripple Effect

Wisconsin families facing cancer no longer need to travel out of state for this specialized care. Both health systems determined they serve enough patients to justify the massive investment, meaning hundreds of Wisconsin residents each year could benefit from more precise, gentler cancer treatment.

Insurance coverage is becoming more accessible too. Doctors can run simulations comparing different radiation treatments and demonstrate clear benefits to insurers, who often approve proton therapy when the evidence supports it.

Both doctors emphasize that cancer treatment works best as a team effort, with radiation oncologists, chemotherapy specialists, surgeons, and other experts collaborating to create personalized care plans. Now Wisconsin patients have one more powerful tool in that arsenal.

Two of the nation's most advanced cancer treatment centers just opened in America's heartland.