BayCare celebrates new Tampa proton center

From left, BayCare Cancer Institute director Tim McMahon and BayCare Department of Radiation Oncology medical director John Greskovich in front of the MEVION S250-FIT Proton Therapy System at the Tuesday celebration. Photo by Michael Connor. BayCare Health System leaders joined Tampa Bay Chamber staff members Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the BayCare Proton Center at the Fred J. Woods Radiation Therapy Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. “For me, it’s important to bring the latest technology for cancer treatment to our community,” said John Greskovich, medical director of the BayCare Department of Radiation Oncology. “Proton therapy is a particle therapy that features a minimally invasive proton beam that precisely targets cancerous tumors. At the same time, it spares all of the healthy organs surrounding the tumor.” “So, it’s very much a technology for difficult to treat cancers that are close to vital organs, such as the brain, brainstem and heart,” he continued. “I’m very proud that we have invested in this.” The most common form of radiation is x-ray or photon therapy. “The x-ray beam enters the body, hits the cancerous tumors but then exits straight through the body,” Greskovich explained. “The proton beam improves on this by entering the body and stopping at the target, or the tumor. Then, there are no more doses past that point.” “The amount of radiation inside the volume of the patient is lower with protons because you’re stopping that exit dose, which can damage collateral and normal tissues,” he said. “That’s why we really think proton therapy is going to help out our pediatric patients who have a long way to go to grow up. This will make sure that their organs grow normally.” The $33 million center features the MEVION S250-FIT Proton Therapy System. According to a prepared statement, the Fred J. Woods Radiation Therapy Center is the second facility in the world to treat patients with the platform. Greskovich explained that the system includes a chair so patients can sit upright. This can help individuals “who do not really tolerate lying flat on a table very well because they have breathing problems or they feel claustrophobic.” A seated position, he believes, “will have a calming effect.” As a result, patients will “be able to breathe more comfortably and will not feel short of breath.” The MEVION S250-FIT Proton Therapy System allows patients to sit upright for comfortability. Photo: BayCare Health System. BayCare Cancer Institute director Tim McMahon added that the platform has shrunk “the footprint of proton therapy.” Many centers “oftentimes are one and a half to three city blocks worth of facility.” The MEVION S250-FIT Proton Therapy System can be placed inside a typical photon radiation treatment room. Additionally, the technology is about 35% the cost of a typical proton system. “Everybody on the team is really a pioneer in figuring out how to do this and how to do it well,” he explained. “I think that’s what’s exciting about this.” “It’s accessible,” McMahon added. “While we are just now launching, we already have a lot of patients reaching out to us asking about the center and if they would potentially be ideal candidates for proton therapy.” He emphasized that proton therapy is “not for everybody.” Photon therapy is still regarded as the standard radiation treatment. The BayCare Proton Center joins existing facilities across Florida. “We really do anticipate that the technology is going to take off,” McMahon said. “Right now, we’re the 50th proton center in the U.S. So, there’s not a lot of access.” Moffitt Cancer Center operates the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Proton Therapy Center at its Speros campus in Pasco County. Additionally, the treatment is available at the University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville and the Orlando Health Cancer Institute. “BayCare is raising the standard of care for families across Tampa Bay,” said Tampa Bay Chamber president and CEO Dr. Bob Rohrlack in a statement prepared for the Catalyst. “ As the first hospital in our region to offer Mevion (seated) proton therapy, they’re bringing world-class cancer treatment close to home. Healthy families build a strong workforce, and a strong workforce drives a vibrant business community. The Tampa Bay Chamber is proud to count BayCare as a member, and we stand firmly behind the advancements they are making for the health of our region.” Share Tweet Share Related Topics: Baycare Health System BayCare Proton Center Fred J. Woods Radiation Therapy Center John Greskovich St. Joseph's Hospital St. Petersburg Tampa Tim McMahon Click to comment Subscribe to the Daily Spark Get the latest right to your phone Subscription Form Name Email Subscribe Subscribe to the Daily Spark Get the latest right to your phone Subscription Form Name Email Subscribe You may like