Proton Therapy

Contact Proton Therapy

Form: Schedule a Call with a Patient Care Coordinator
Phone: 206.306.2800
Fax: 206.374.2645
Email: info.proton@fredhutch.org

Location: UW Medical Center – Northwest campus
1570 N. 115th St.
Seattle, WA 98133

Hours: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT

Proton therapy is an advanced radiation treatment that precisely targets tumors with a goal of limiting harm to healthy tissue. It may help reduce short- and long-term side effects, lower the risk of secondary tumors (caused by treatment) and improve your life during cancer treatment and after.

Fewer than 100 centers worldwide offer this state-of-the-art treatment option. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center – Proton Therapy, led by world-class experts in proton therapy, is the only facility of its kind in the Northwest.

Take a Tour of the Proton Center

What is Proton Therapy?

Like standard X-ray radiation therapy, proton therapy can destroy tumors. Both treatments work by keeping cancer cells from dividing and growing. The advantage of proton radiation therapy is that your physician can better match the treatment to your tumor’s size, shape and depth. Greater precision matters most for tumors near vital organs, like the brain or heart, or in children, who are still growing and developing. Learn more about what proton therapy is, its benefits and how it can help people with cancer.

Diseases Treated

Physicians use proton therapy to treat a wide range of cancers, and some benign tumors, in adults and children. These include brain, spinal cord, gastrointestinal, head and neck, breast, lung and prostate tumors, as well as sarcomas. Proton therapy can also help patients whose cancer has come back and patients who can’t have any more X-ray radiation therapy.

“It’s a privilege that my job is to help people in their time of need. Work doesn’t feel like work when you know what you’re doing is meaningful.”

— Jing Zeng, MD, Medical Director, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center – Proton Therapy

Treatment Plan & Process

At your first in-person appointment, you’ll meet with your radiation oncologist and a nurse from your care team. They will talk with you about proton therapy, your treatment and any tests you may need before treatment can begin.

You’ll also meet other members of your care team, such as a radiation therapist and patient navigator/concierge. They will work with you during your treatment and follow-up care. Your first visit is a time for us to get to know you and your family and for you to get answers to any questions you may have about proton therapy.

Treatment

Therapy Care Team

The radiation oncologists at our proton therapy facility will plan your therapy, manage your care and see you weekly to make sure your treatment is on track. All of them specialize in proton therapy, and the team sees Fred Hutch patients with all types of disease.

Your radiation oncologist is the leader of your personal care team. They will manage your care with the support of other highly skilled medical professionals who are trained in proton therapy. The team includes radiation therapists, nurses, physicists and dosimetrists. We have supportive care providers, such as social workers, child life specialists, registered dietitians and integrative medicine specialists, to help with your well-being in every sense.

Care Team

Proton Therapy Research

Physician-scientists at Fred Hutch have been at the forefront of cancer research for decades to help bring patients the best treatment options. One way we do this is by offering access to clinical trials, also called clinical studies. 

Your care team will give you the choice to join clinical trials that match your situation, and they can answer questions to help you decide if you want to join a study. Patients who choose to take part often have the first chance to benefit from new treatment approaches, and they add to our knowledge about proton therapy.

Clinical Trials

Simulation and Planning 

After your first appointment and any tests you may need, we will schedule you for a computed tomography (CT) simulation scan. The purpose of this scan is to gather images of your tumor and normal tissue from many angles. Your physician and dosimetrists use the images to plan your specific treatment and make sure you are positioned correctly for each proton therapy treatment. To help with positioning, they may use devices such as masks, leg molds, head rests, sponges and pillows that are customized for your body. 

The scan may take up to two hours, including preparation time. A nurse will explain the process from this scan to the end of treatment and answer any questions you may have.

Treatment

Patients usually have treatment five days a week for one to nine weeks. The number of treatments depends on the location and size of your tumor. We’ll guide you through each step of treatment and make sure you and your family know what to expect. We want you to have all the information and resources you need.

Telehealth Consultations Available

We now offer telehealth visits for new and existing patients from Washington state. These visits are a convenient way to discuss treatment options and follow-up care from home.

During a telehealth consultation, new patients meet with a physician via videoconferencing or by phone to talk about their cancer and treatment options, including proton therapy. To request a new patient telehealth consultation, call us at 206.306.2800.

If you are already a Fred Hutch patient, you may have the option to do your follow-up visits during treatment via telehealth. Ask your care team.

At Fred Hutch, we understand that choosing a cancer treatment can be overwhelming, and we put together this Welcome Kit to help answer any questions you might have. Please read it, keep it as a reference, and feel free to share it with your caregiver, family and friends.

Featured Stories

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The Beam: Fred Hutch helps NASA develop and launch a patient program; fats during cancer treatment; meet our new provider Fred Hutch collaborates with NASA; the benefits of adding fats during treatment; new radiation oncologist will focus on gastrointestinal cancers November 6, 2024
When thymoma spread near his spine, a young engineer from Egypt opted for proton therapy at Fred Hutch Proton therapy was a critical part of treatment for a recurring tumor November 4, 2024
Young breast cancer patient’s self-exam and self-advocacy leads to cancer diagnosis Gillian McDonald chooses Fred Hutch for care, including participating in clinical trials that led to being selected for proton therapy September 27, 2024
The Beam: New superhero comic book for proton therapy patients; our physicians present at ASTRO; meet our new brain cancer specialist The Proton Pro-Team comic; latest in radiation oncology; meet Dr. Lisa Ni September 27, 2024

Proton Therapy Social Media Channels

Stay connected by following us on our proton therapy social media channels, where we share patient stories and the latest research by our physician-scientists. Along with our public social media accounts, we have a private Facebook group for patients; to join, please email concierge.proton@fredhutch.org.

We also have a monthly Fred Hutch – Proton Therapy newsletter to keep in touch with our community. Sign up for Proton Therapy Once-a-Month Newsletter.