ESTERO, Fla. - s4story -- Southwest Florida Proton has treated its 100^th patient, a milestone that reflects the cancer treatment center's efficiency and commitment to the patients it serves.

Southwest Florida Proton, which opened in December, expedited its "ramp-up period" to accommodate additional cancer patients seeking proton therapy, a specialized type of radiation therapy currently available in only one location along Florida's entire west coast. The Estero cancer treatment center, featuring the Belgium-based Ion Beams Applications (IBA) ProteusOne machine, recently expanded its treatment times to 14 hours per day to adequately serve the demand for its services.

"For years, doctors in Southwest Florida have been referring patients to proton centers in other parts of Florida or the U.S., so we knew the need and demand were both there," said Dr. Arie Dosoretz, CEO and managing partner of Southwest Florida Proton. "Having the newest IBA ProteusONE system in the world right here at home certainly makes it easier for Southwest Florida residents to access proton therapy."

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A highly advanced form of radiation therapy, proton therapy uses charged proton particles to destroy cancer cells with exceptional precision, typically resulting in fewer side effects and less radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. Physicians often recommend proton therapy for pediatric malignancies, curable brain tumors, tumors of the skull base and spine, eye tumors, and select patients with breast, esophageal, head and neck, liver, lung, prostate, lymphoma and sarcoma cancers.

Initially, Southwest Florida Proton anticipated moving toward 14 hours per day by the end of 2026 and 16 hours per day by early 2027. Now, the center may expand treatment times to 16 hours daily as early as this summer. Southwest Florida Proton is the first cancer treatment center to offer proton therapy anywhere on Florida's west coast.

Dosoretz leads the center, along with Medical Directors Dr. Shannon MacDonald and Dr. Todd Pezzi; Operations Director Joseph Kacsmar; Senior Director of Proton Medical Physics Mark Artz, Ph.D.; Director of Medical Dosimetry Linnae Campbell and a team of highly trained radiation therapists and patient care specialists.

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Southwest Florida Proton, located at 9961 Estero Oaks Drive in Estero, operates within a 42,000-square-foot medical complex that also includes a traditional radiation practice operated by Advocate Radiation Oncology and a diagnostic imaging center managed by Lee Health.

For more information about Southwest Florida Proton or to schedule a consultation, visit SWFLproton.com or call 239-516-0009.