Proton therapy a weapon against cancer

EDMOND — Patients have an additional weapon to fight cancer as Radiation Medicine Associates’ eight physicians begin providing proton therapy this week at the new ProCure Proton Therapy Center, 5901 W. Memorial Road. The 60,000-square-foot proton treatment center is one of only six in the United States.

“To have such a cutting-edge proton facility in Oklahoma City is truly incredible,” said Dr. Lucius Doh, one of the radiation oncologists to provide proton therapy. “Having local access to the facility is a huge advantage to cancer patients in our area.”

Doh, a Deer Creek resident, described proton therapy as “an advanced form of radiation therapy that allows the radiation to be delivered more precisely. The advantage of protons is simply that protons hit the cancer and spare surrounding normal tissue.”

Doh said a proton beam can “stop on a dime,” as the physician controls the distance the protons travel. In contrast, photons used in traditional radiation therapy pass straight through the patient. Having no exit dose, proton therapy protects healthy tissue and reduces side effects.

With that control, Doh said, “potentially, we can increase the radiation dose to the tumor since the radiation is producing fewer side effects. We may be able to intensify the chemotherapy given, as well.” Proton therapy, he said, also may be appropriate for previously radiated cancer.

“One of the areas where protons have a lot of promise is in pediatric cancers,” Doh said. For example, a medulloblastoma requires much of a child’s brain and spine to be treated with radiation. Proton therapy provides a huge advantage over traditional radiation’s potential impact on the young patient’s heart, lungs, small intestines and stomach.

One impact of traditional radiation is the potential development of secondary malignancies later in a child’s life. Aside from secondary malignancies, Doh said, the side effects from traditional radiation can be quite debilitating. In providing proton therapy for pediatric cancers, “you get a lot of bang for your buck,” he said. “Reducing the toxicities really helps, and helps for many, many years.”

Other cancers he mentioned as potentially good candidates for proton therapy are head, neck and spinal cord.

“In and around the brain, or head and neck area, you want to avoid as much toxicity as possible. That’s an area I call ‘high-priced real estate,’” Doh said. “It’s an area with a lot of normal tissue you don’t want to touch or only touch minimally.”

For example, in treatment of chordoma tumors near the brain or spinal cord, Doh said, “you may be able to spare very, very serious side effects, such as paralysis or spinal cord damage.”

Doh said treatment is limited by the number of facilities.

“There just aren’t enough proton facilities available to service all the potential people who will be qualified,” he said. “Given the limited slots, oncologists want to use this therapy on the people who will benefit the most.”

Ed Bertels, president of ProCure Proton Therapy Center, said the Oklahoma City center expects to be able to treat 1,500 patients a year once all four treatment rooms are operational and the center adds a second shift. He estimated that as many as half the patients may come to the Oklahoma City center from out of state.

“We’re staffed with 55 people right now. When we go to a second shift, probably in a year or less, we’ll employ approximately 95,” said Bertels, who has been an Edmond resident for the past 22 years.

The center already has begun scheduling patients for July, Bertels said. “Right now, because we’re new and just opening, it’s a very, very short list as we begin our intake process.”

Based on experience at the other five centers, though, Bertels said he anticipates the demand for proton therapy will exceed the center’s capacity. He also mentioned ProCure is building more centers at other sites across the country.

Patients typically come into the center less than an hour a day, five days a week, for four to eight weeks. The actual radiation time lasts only about a minute. Many patients who work in the area will be able to work the same day they receive treatment, Bertels said. ProCure provides a concierge service for patients, which is especially important for patients coming from out of town.

This week, the Oklahoma City center is opening the first of four treatment rooms. Bertels said he expects the second treatment room to open later this year, with each room opening as it is commissioned and calibrated.

The Integris Cancer Institute of Oklahoma is under construction adjacent to the ProCure Proton Therapy Center, so that together they can offer comprehensive diagnostic and treatment programs on one campus.

The center’s grand opening will be on Wednesday. For more information, visit www.ProCure.com or call 773-6700.

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