The Laurie Proton Therapy Center
The Laurie Proton Therapy Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) New Brunswick—in partnership with the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey—is excited to offer the precision of proton therapy, an advanced form of radiation therapy.
Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy that can target tumor tissues more precisely in certain situations. In contrast to conventional X-ray (or photon) therapy, proton beams have the unique property of stopping at a certain depth in tissue. This property can be put to use and controlled for the treatment of cancer patients.
Proton therapy is the latest addition to the wide array of comprehensive radiotherapy services that are available to patients at RWJUH and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.
State of the Art Care, Convenient Location
Located halfway between New York City and Philadelphia, The Laurie Proton Therapy Center at RWJUH New Brunswick is easily accessible for cancer patients seeking first-class, state-of-the-art care.
Our patients have immediate access to all the world-class facilities and specialty physicians at RWJUH, and the expertise of faculty members at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
Our staff includes international experts and leaders in the research and treatment of cancer.
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital provides on-site dedicated pediatric radiologists and anesthesiologists, a dedicated pediatric neurosurgeon, plus urologists and medical oncologists.
The Laurie Proton Therapy Center has a dedicated, free parking space.
Conditions Treated with Proton Therapy
Proton therapy can be used in the treatment of many types of cancer, including:
- Adult Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas
- Gastrointestinal and abdominal tumors
- Gynecologic tumors
- Non-small cell lung cancer
- Ocular melanoma (choroidal)
- Pediatric tumors, including diseases that have spread to sites beyond where the tumor started, such as high-risk Ewings, rhabdomyosarcoma, and Hodgkins lymphoma
- Prostate cancer
- Recurrent tumors (previously irradiated targets)
- Skull base tumors, including chordomas and chondrosarcomas, pituitary tumors, acoustics tumors, and meningiomas
The Facts About Protons
Despite its benefits, proton therapy isn’t the right choice for everyone. Chemotherapy, surgery or conventional X-ray radiation treatments may be the best treatment for some cancers.
The RWJUH Cancer Team often combines proton therapy with these treatments as part of a comprehensive plan. Because all of these treatments are offered at RWJUH, patients receive the most appropriate, effective treatment for their tumors all in the same convenient location.
Sparing normal tissues is especially critical in the treatment of pediatric cancers, which often makes proton therapy the preferred option for treating tumors in children.
Proton therapy can also be used for the treatment of several adult cancers, including ocular melanoma, tumors of the skull base, tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), lung cancer, various GI malignancies and prostate cancer.
Since proton therapy can be used for a variety of disease sites and conditions, the first step is to discuss all options with your doctor to develop the best treatment plan for you.
Research and Innovation in Comprehensive Cancer Care
The Laurie Proton Therapy Center continues Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s proud history of using the latest technology to deliver world-class care, while also training the next generation of physicians and physician-scientists.
The center offers the most advanced radiation available to treat cancers and other tumors with the world’s third MEVION S250 Proton Therapy System. This is the latest addition to the wide array of comprehensive radiotherapy services that are available to our patients.
These proton therapy services are provided by leading academic radiation oncologists from the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. This designation is an important recognition of the cutting-edge treatments, scientific leadership, and expertise of the faculty members at CINJ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proton Therapy
Below are some frequently asked questions about proton therapy.
What is proton therapy?
Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy that uses a beam of protons to precisely target tumors, most often in the treatment of cancer. This precision reduces damage to healthy tissue near the tumor and potentially allows for higher, more effective doses of radiation. It can be used alone, in combination with chemotherapy or conventional X-ray radiation treatments, or as a follow-up treatment to surgery. Proton therapy is part of a comprehensive range of advanced cancer treatment options offered by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ), Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and private physicians in the community.
How is proton therapy different from conventional X-ray radiation treatments?
Proton therapy delivers a powerful punch of radiation right to the tumor site. X-rays release their maximum dose of radiation after penetrating the skin, potentially damaging healthy tissue and organs on their way to and from the tumor site.
What are the benefits of proton therapy?
Proton therapy’s main advantage is that its radiation beams can be controlled by depth, shape, and amount of radiation dose. This precision means that many of the side effects of radiation treatment can be significantly reduced and allows for a quicker return to normal, daily life and activities. This accuracy also makes it an ideal option for pediatric patients and adult patients with tumors in sensitive locations, such as near the heart, brain, head, eye, neck, lung, or prostate.