IBA ProteusONE arrives at Southwest Florida Proton
The Floridant/10292115

ESTERO, Fla. - Floridant -- Southwest Florida Proton has received delivery of its IBA ProteusONE, a state-of-the-art proton therapy machine that is bringing a superior form of cancer treatment to the region.

The technology arrived on a convoy of 10 semi-trucks over 10 days, representing the last phase of a cross-Atlantic journey that started at IBA's manufacturing facility in Belgium. Assembly, testing and calibration is expected to take nine to 12 months.

"IBA's ProteusONE is considered the best-in-class technology of the proton world, the leading cancer-fighting technology available anywhere on Earth," said Dr. Arie Dosoretz, a radiation oncologist and managing partner of Southwest Florida Proton. "This machine is a game-changer for cancer care in the region and will eliminate the need for Southwest Floridians to travel across the state or beyond to receive the care they deserve."

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Once the ProteusONE is fully operational next fall, Southwest Florida Proton will become the first proton therapy center on Florida's west coast. There are only 46 proton therapy centers in the U.S.

According to the National Association for Proton Therapy, proton therapy is an effective treatment option for cancers of the brain and spine, breast, esophagus, head and neck, liver, lung, eye, pancreas and prostate, as well as lymphomas and soft tissue sarcomas. Studies indicate that proton therapy can be a safe option for patients that have undergone prior radiation treatment and can reduce the long-term risks of radiation in pediatric cancer patients.

Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy that uses charged proton particles to destroy cancer cells. Protons have the unique ability to travel into a target, but not beyond it, potentially reducing side effects and complications that patients can experience during and after cancer treatments.

"Traditional radiation therapy is highly effective and the recommended course of action for many types of cancers, but proton therapy is quickly becoming a favored alternative because it offers extra protection for vital organs and nearby tissue while reducing side effects," said Dr. Todd Pezzi, a radiation oncologist and one of the medical directors at Southwest Florida Proton. "Proton therapy represents the future of radiation, and it's exciting that we'll soon be able to offer it here in Southwest Florida."

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Located at 9961 Estero Oaks Drive in Estero, Southwest Florida Proton will be housed inside a 42,000-square-foot, three-story facility that also is home to Advocate Radiation Oncology, which provides traditional radiation therapy services, and Lee Health, which operates a diagnostic imaging center with Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) capabilities.

For more information, please visit SWFLproton.com or call 239-396-5162.