Gantry Arrives as Beaumont Hospital Readies Proton Center

Sophisticated Medical Device Aims Cancer Killing Protons at Tumors

Royal Oak, Mich. – May 6, 2016 – A new generation medical device that precisely directs the cancer killing proton beam at tumors has arrived at Beaumont Hospital after crossing the ocean from Antwerp, Belgium, where it was manufactured. The Proteus®One Gantry is a compact alternative to the massive, three-story systems installed in some proton centers, making it possible for Beaumont and other hospitals to build far more affordable treatment facilities, but with the same precision as larger alternatives. The gantry, manufactured by IBA as part of its Proteus®One proton system, came over aboard the Floretgracht, a Dutch cargo vessel, and arrived at Beaumont on the 28th of April. The center is expected to open in the spring of 2017.

“This is an exciting milestone that brings us one step closer to offering this important cancer therapy,” said Dr. Craig Stevens, Health System Chair, and Radiation Oncology Professor. “Our center will offer the best technology available for this advanced treatment. We will integrate intensity modulated proton therapy with daily imaging. This approach provides a maximal dose to the tumor, while avoiding nearby healthy tissue. The long term effect of this will be more cures with fewer side effects.”

Proton therapy is an alternative to X-ray radiation for treating certain cancers. It spares healthy tissue adjacent to the tumor and thus reduces or eliminates many of the short- and long-term treatment side effects. Proton therapy is particularly effective in treating solid tumors, including tumors of the brain, central nervous system, eye, gastrointestinal tract, head and neck, liver, lung, prostate, spine and some breast tumors.

Proton therapy is especially important when treating children. Because of their small size, children are vulnerable to the damage and side effects of X-ray radiation therapy. “Children treated for cancer today usually live a very long time” said Dr. Stevens. “This longevity makes reducing side effects that much more important. Protons will be important for our adult patients too. We will be able to treat many primary tumors better with protons than with more conventional approaches, but perhaps most importantly we will have the ability to potentially cure patients that have failed conventional treatment from other centers.”

Proton International is participating in the development of the center, a company that specializes in building and operating one- and two-room centers. “To be at this important project stage with our partners at Beaumont Hospital is also an important milestone for Proton International. Moving the industry towards clinically effective and financially feasible one-room applications is a key goal for our company, “ says Chris Chandler, CEO of Proton International. Beaumont Hospital’s $40 million, two-story proton therapy building will be 25,200-square-feet. The first floor will house a one-room proton therapy center and the second floor will be home to the Beaumont Children’s Pediatric Oncology and Hematology program.

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