Welcome To A New Option in Cancer Treatment
The University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute
Until recently, the treatment of cancer was often just as frightening as the diagnosis. It doesn't have to be that way. At the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, we're committed to changing the way cancer is treated, and the way cancer treatment is experienced. That's why we're developing the newest, least invasive, and most promising tool in use today: proton therapy.
Latest Developments
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St. Jude and UF Proton Therapy Institute begin proton therapy clinical trial Read more In the news
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Benchmark study shows minimal side effects for prostate cancer patients treated with proton therapy Read more In the news
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Now treating cancers of the head and neck, base of the skull, lung, sarcoma, pediatrics, prostate, pancreas, pituitary and central nervous system.
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More than 51,000 proton therapy treatments delivered to over 1,500 patients.
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Distinguished lecture series brings UF Proton Therapy Institute physician to discuss proton therapy for lung and prostate cancers. View the video
What is Proton Therapy?
A patient who undergoes conventional radiation therapy is exposed to X-rays. As they pass through both healthy and diseased tissue, X-rays leave a track of damage - much like a bullet. This damage can help destroy tumors, but may cause significant harm to surrounding areas.
Protons cause less damage to healthy tissue as they enter the body, and deposit the majority of their destructive energy at the tumor site. As a result, normal, healthy tissue receives less exposure to radiation, resulting in fewer treatment complications.

