Proton Beam Therapy

Proton beam therapy is a form of external beam radiation treatment that uses protons rather than electrons or X-rays (photons) to treat certain types of cancer and other diseases. The physical characteristics of the proton therapy beam allow the radiation oncologist to more effectively reduce the radiation dose to nearby healthy tissue.

One of 35 facilities in the U.S. and the only one in the Pacific Northwest, the SCCA Proton Therapy Center opened its doors to cancer patients in March 2013.  Our goal is to make this advanced treatment available to approximately 1,400 patients each year at our 60,000-square-foot facility, which is located on UW Medicine Northwest Campus.

Today, proton therapy is widely recognized as beneficial in treating a broad range of cancers, including many pediatric cancers, as well as adult sarcomas and tumors of the brain, central nervous system, GI tract, head and neck, lung, and prostate. Proton therapy is most commonly recommended for patients in treating anatomically complex tumors where avoiding damage to healthy adjoining tissue—particularly critical organs and structures—is imperative.

Proton therapy has been in clinical use in the U.S. since the 1970s; the FDA approved it in 1988. To date, about 75,000 people have received proton therapy in the U.S., and more than 200,000 people have been treated worldwide.

SCCA Proton Therapy Center
1570 N 115th Street
Seattle, WA 98133
206.306-2800