First proton therapy center debuts on Florida's west coast

ESTERO, Fla. - Rezul -- Proton therapy has officially arrived on Florida's west coast after physicians delivered the first treatment on Dec. 30 to a patient at Southwest Florida Proton.

The state-of-the-art cancer treatment center gives patients across Florida access to one of the most advanced forms of radiation treatment available today. Southwest Florida Proton delivers proton therapy using the next-generation IBA ProteusONE.

With this opening, the Estero-based cancer center becomes the first on Florida's west coast to offer proton therapy – an option previously available only on Florida's east coast and points north. Its arrival is anticipated to draw patients statewide and nationally, contributing to the region's rapidly growing medical tourism sector and elevating Florida's status as a destination for world-class cancer care.

Southwest Florida Proton recently completed formal installation and acceptance of the IBA ProteusONE, marking the final step before patient treatments began. Engineers, physicists and clinical teams spent months configuring and calibrating the machine following its arrival in late 2024, ensuring optimal precision and safety.

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Proton therapy is widely considered a superior form of radiation therapy for many tumor sites because protons can be directed to stop at a specific depth, reducing radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissues. This precision often results in fewer side effects and is especially important for tumors located near critical organs or for pediatric cancers in which long-term risks must be minimized.

The treatment is commonly used for pediatric malignancies, curable brain tumors, tumors of the skull base and spine, eye tumors, and select cases of breast, esophageal, head and neck, liver, lung, prostate, lymphomas and sarcomas.

IBA engineers will be permanently based at Southwest Florida Proton and work collaboratively with the center's local leadership team, which includes Dosoretz, MacDonald, Associate Medical Director Dr. Todd Pezzi, Senior Director of Proton Medical Physics Mark Artz, Ph.D., and Director of Medical Dosimetry Linnae Campbell.

In addition to proton therapy, the center features on-site clinical partners to support comprehensive cancer care. Advocate Radiation Oncology provides traditional photon-based radiation therapy, while Lee Health operates an advanced diagnostic imaging suite offering PET, CT and MRI services.

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Patients can schedule consultations to determine whether proton therapy is an appropriate treatment option. Consultations include a medical history review, imaging evaluation and an educational overview of potential radiation approaches. Not every patient receiving radiation will require proton therapy, but physicians emphasize its importance for specific tumor types and for reducing long-term treatment impact.

Southwest Florida Proton is located at 9961 Estero Oaks Drive in Estero. To schedule a consultation, visit SWFLproton.com or call 239-516-0009.