Introduction:
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will spend US$150 million to expand its current Proton Therapy Center.
Features:
The expansion will increase the center's size to include eight radiation therapy machines developed by Hitachi that rotate 360 degrees around a patient to deliver therapy to the exact area that requires treatment.
The most precise form of image-guided radiation therapy, intensity-modulated proton therapy will be delivered by the new machines.
The center will also install an additional synchrotron, the accelerator used to create proton beams, and rooms with improved, modern designs for better patient experiences.
Proton therapy is nothing but an advanced type of radiation treatment. It utilizes a beam of protons to deliver radiation directly to the tumor, hence destroying cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Currently, the therapy is used to treat several cancers in adult and pediatric patients, including prostate, lung, head and neck, liver, esophagus, brain, and lymphoma.
The project is expected to be completed by November 2023.
Specifications:
| Name | University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Type | Expansion |
| Budget | US$150million |
| Schedule | Scheduled to be operational in 2023 |
