5 Key Facts About Proton Therapy for Cancer Treatment

Proton therapy is a precise, advanced treatment that targets cancer and nothing else. Learn why it’s a breakthrough in radiation therapy.

Updated June 24, 2025

By Dr. Graeme Williams, Radiation Oncologist and Director of the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Proton Therapy Center

1. Proton Beam Stops at the Tumor

The benefit of proton therapy is its ability to deliver proton radiation to the tumor with pinpoint accuracy and then stop. This minimizes damage to surrounding healthy organs and tissue. This makes it a good option for patients with tumors close to highly sensitive and critical organs, like the brain, spinal cord, heart, lungs, or bowel.

2. Proton Therapy Treatments Are Fast and Painless

Proton therapy is a quick and painless treatment. Since the therapy is highly targeted, patients may experience fewer side effects compared to traditional radiation. Each treatment session typically lasts only a few minutes, allowing patients to get back to their daily lives with minimal interruption.

3. Not Every Cancer Is Treated with Proton Therapy

Proton therapy is most effective for cancers in highly sensitive areas, such as the head, neck, lungs, and abdomen. It is also used to treat recurrent cancer that was previously treated with radiation therapy. Your care team will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific type of cancer, which could involve a combination of therapies, including proton therapy and traditional photon radiation therapy.

4. The Only Proton Therapy Center in South Jersey

Virtua Health is proud to be the home of South Jersey’s only proton therapy center. With fewer than 50 such centers across the country, our region now has convenient access to this state-of-the-art treatment, eliminating the need for long-distance travel for daily treatments. Our oncologists are the only team in the region with the tools to offer each type of radiation and build a plan that is best suited for you.

5. Collaboration for Comprehensive Cancer Care

At the Penn Medicine | Virtua Health Cancer Program, our collective team of cancer experts seamlessly collaborate to provide the highest level of care. Through our partnership with Penn Medicine and their decade of experience developing proton treatment techniques, we bring high quality cancer care closer to home. This partnership ensures that patients receive comprehensive and personalized treatment right here in South Jersey. We’re honored to bring proton therapy to our community and deliver exceptional cancer care to our patients.