Proton Beam Therapy Information for Providers
Will your patient benefit from proton therapy?
At Atrium Health Levine Cancer, we provide world-class cancer care, close to home. As the first and only Proton & Advanced Radiation Center in the Carolinas, we offer the region’s most advanced radiation treatments available for adult and pediatric patients.
Proton beam therapy is an extremely precise form of radiation that can achieve high cure rates with reduced toxicity for select patients with cancer. Our goal is to help you match your patients with the most effective therapy – whether that’s proton beam therapy or another advanced modality.
Clinical benefits & and indications for proton therapy
Proton therapy delivers radiation with exceptional precision. A very thin “pencil” beam of protons targets the tumor from multiple angles, allowing for high-dose treatment while sparing surrounding healthy tissue and/or organs. This reduces the risk of toxicity and long-term side effects compared to conventional photon radiation.
Because of its precision, proton therapy is especially beneficial for patients with curable cancers and long-term survival expectations, where minimizing side effects is critical to quality of life. A patients may be good candidates for proton therapy if they:
- Have non-metastatic malignant tumors near critical structures/organs, such as skull base and vertebral column tumors
- Are at risk of severe toxicity from conventional radiation, such as localized unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
- Are pediatric patients, who face a much higher risk of secondary malignancies from conventional radiation exposure
- Need reirradiation in a previously treated area, with curative intent
Consult with our proton therapy experts
Selecting appropriate patients for proton therapy requires careful consideration of the cancer type, location prognosis and other factors. To determine if proton therapy could be right for your patient, email our dedicated proton coordinator at ProtonTherapy@AtriumHealth.org.
Why referring providers choose Atrium Health Levine Cancer
- Expertise across disciplines: Our radiation oncologists collaborate with other nationally -recognized experts from every facet of pediatric and adult care across Atrium Health. For example, a patient with a brain tumor might have a team that includes national leaders in radiation oncology, medical oncology, neurology and neurosurgery.
- Research and innovation: Our oncology experts are at the forefront of treatment breakthroughs and novel therapies through active research and clinical trials fueled by Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center (one of only three NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the Carolinas).
- Rigorous evaluation process: Once we receive a patient’s medical records disease-specific radiation oncologist(s) conduct a thorough review, considering medical history, cancer stage, tumor location and overall health. If proton therapy is appropriate, patients meet the care team, undergo review by the Multidisciplinary Proton Committee, and receive support with logistics, insurance, and next steps. If proton therapy isn’t optimal, our experts guide patients toward other advanced treatment options.
- Precision treatment: We’re one of only a few centers in the nation using the combination of pencil-beam scanning, in-room CT guidance and surface guidance –, enabling
millimeter accuracy in treatment delivery. We also offers the full range of resources and services needed to safely and effectively treat adult and pediatric patients, including sedation/anesthesia services. -
Patient and referring provider experience: Our dedicated proton coordinator serves as an ongoing point of contact exclusively for proton therapy patients and referring providers. This ensures timely communication and efficiency throughout the assessment and treatment process.
What to expect after you refer a patient
Our referral and patient evaluation process is designed to be collaborative, transparent and efficient. It includes:
- Initial consult with the referring provider: Our radiation oncologist will consult with you to discuss whether your patient may be a candidate for proton therapy. If your patient could benefit from proton therapy, we’ll explain our evaluation approach to assess your patient and the timeline you can expect for testing and treatment.
- Initial consult with the patient: If proton therapy is deemed an appropriate treatment option, we’ll meet with the patient to review the proposed treatment plan, gather additional medical history, and begin logistical planning (e.g., travel, lodging, expenses and caregiver support).
- Review by the Multidisciplinary Proton Committee: Our team – including oncologists, physicists and dosimetrists – assesses both the clinical benefit and technical feasibility of proton therapy for each patient. If another modality of radiation therapy is more appropriate, our expert team helps guide the patient accordingly.
- Review of potential costs: Before treatment begins, we proactively review each patient’s insurance coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs for proton therapy. In the event of an insurance denial, our team offers resources and support to appeal the decision.
- Ongoing partnership: We recognize you as your patient’s’ primary physicians and keep you informed throughout their patient’s care. You’ll receive updates at key milestones and can easily access patient records any time through Epic Care Everywhere. and our team is readily available to coordinate care and answer questions.
- Localized follow-up care: After treatment, we work closely with you to ensure a seamless transition back to your care. We provide recommendations to monitor your patient’s condition, such as how often to do imaging tests, and offer continued support for ongoing care.
What patients say about our Proton & Advanced Radiation Center
Patients often tell their referring providers how supported they felt throughout their care at our center. Making patients feel as comfortable as possible is a core value of our medical team and support staff.
Here’s what sets our patient experience apart:
- Care coordination: From the moment a patient is considered for proton beam therapy, our proton coordinator helps guide them through every step gathering medical records, scheduling appointments and coordinating treatment. Patients also have access to our Global Healthcare Services team for support with lodging, transportation and other logistics.
- Patient-centered facility: Every aspect of our facility was intentionally designed to prioritize the patient and their experience. Features include patient-created artwork, uniquely configured treatment vaults, specialized pediatric spaces and streamlined care processes across services and teams.
- Convenient location and amenities: Located in the heart of Charlotte, NC, the Proton & Advanced Radiation Center is nestled on the corner of Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute and within walking distance of Carolinas Medical Center, Atrium Health’s award-winning flagship hospital. At the PARC patients have access to complimentary valet parking, free on-site garage parking and all the amenities of Levine Cancer Institute, including restaurants and a coffee shop.
Frequently asked questions from medical providers
Proton therapy is a type of radiation treatment that uses protons — tiny particles found in atoms — to target and destroy cancer cells. These protons are delivered through a machine that directs a focused beam of energy into the tumor.
What makes proton therapy unique is how the energy is released. The proton beam delivers most of its energy directly at the tumor and then stops, which helps protect nearby healthy tissues and organs. This precision allows for effective treatment while reducing the risk of side effects.
Before treatment begins, your care team uses imaging scans to create a detailed plan that guides the proton beam exactly where it’s needed.
Both proton therapy and traditional radiation therapy (also called photon or X-ray therapy) are used to treat cancer by damaging the DNA of cancer cells. The key difference is how the energy is delivered and where it goes in the body.
Traditional radiation uses X-rays (photons) that pass through the body, which means healthy tissues before and after the tumor can receive radiation. Proton therapy, on the other hand, uses protons that stop once they reach the tumor – delivering radiation exactly where it’s needed and no farther.
Because it’s so targeted, proton therapy may cause fewer side effects. It’s especially useful for treating tumors near sensitive areas – like the brain, spine or heart – or when combined with other treatments like chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
Every cancer – and every patient – is unique. Proton therapy is a highly precise form of radiation, but it isn’t always the best or only option.
Traditional radiation therapy (also called photon or X-ray therapy) is a well-established, effective treatment used safely for many types of cancer. It remains a trusted choice for many patients and may be more widely available depending on your diagnosis and care plan.
The best way to decide is by talking with your radiation oncologist. They’ll consider your type of cancer, its location, your overall health, and your treatment goals to help you choose the approach that offers the best possible outcome and quality of life.
Yes, proton therapy can be especially helpful for children with certain cancers.
Because children’s bodies are still growing, it’s important to limit radiation exposure to healthy tissues. Proton therapy allows doctors to precisely target the tumor while reducing radiation to nearby organs and developing areas of the body.
This can lower the risk of side effects during treatment and reduce the chance of long-term problems later in life.
Your child’s care team will help determine if proton therapy is the right option based on their specific diagnosis and needs.
The number of treatments varies greatly based on the type of cancer you have. Typically, patients receive proton therapy 5 days a week for several weeks. We customize your treatment plan to include the number of treatments recommended for your specific condition.
Refer a patient
Call 980-442-3400 to discuss a patient with our radiation oncologists, or complete the form below. We look forward to helping you provide the most effective treatment for your patient.
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Call: 980-442-3400
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Fax: 980-442-3401
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Epic: REF1095 Ambulatory Referral to Radiation Oncology (state MD preferred)
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Department: LCI CMC PARC
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Reason: potential proton