Local Healthcare Organizations in Talks to Bring Proton Therapy to Region

DALLAS and THE WOODLANDS, Texas, June 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- An advanced proton therapy center for cancer treatment could be coming to North Texas. The innovative proton treatment facility would enhance regional cancer care and attract patients both nationally and internationally. Proton therapy provides highly targeted radiation treatment shown to be particularly effective in treating certain pediatric and adult cancers.

Discussions are being led by Baylor Health Enterprises, an affiliate of Baylor Health Care System; US Oncology, a division of McKesson Corporation; and Texas Oncology. With Baylor and US Oncology's ongoing commitment to cancer care in North Texas, the proposed high-tech facility would provide services through Texas Oncology and is expected to be completed in two to three years.

"We are excited about the prospect of bringing a proton therapy program to North Texas to enable access to clinical trials and collaboration with other leading centers that offer proton therapy around the world," said Dr. Steven Paulson, chairman and president of Texas Oncology. "Such a facility would give us another important treatment option for cancer patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and would serve patients from well beyond the area."  

"This is an exciting time in the history of cancer treatment in the DFW Metroplex," said John McWhorter, president, Baylor University Medical Center. "With the newly opened Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center and the region's first dedicated cancer hospital opening in 2013, the proton therapy center is yet another example of Baylor's desire to be a leader in providing North Texans with advanced cancer care and treatment options."

Only nine proton therapy centers currently operate in the United States. The North Texas facility would include advanced features and capabilities of proton therapy with a smaller footprint than first-generation proton facilities, which occupied the space of an entire football field.

Unique properties of proton therapy allow delivery of targeted radiation doses with a high degree of accuracy, enabling the proton beam to destroy cancer cells with less damage to healthy tissue. Certain patients benefit from the more precise treatment and experience a higher quality of life during treatment.

"Anyone who has had a family member or friend go through cancer treatment immediately appreciates what this project represents to cancer patients in North Texas," said Dr. Roy Beveridge, medical director, US Oncology. "For the 1.5 million new cancer patients in the United States each year, proton therapy technology gives them new options and the prospect of a better quality of life."

About Baylor Health Care System

Baylor Health Care System is a not-for-profit, faith-based supporting organization providing services to a network of acute care hospitals and related health care entities that provide patient care, medical education, research and community service. Baylor entities recorded more than 2.6 million patient encounters, $3.8 billion in total operating revenue, $4.4 billion in total assets and $513.5 million in community benefit in fiscal year 2010.  Baylor's network of more than 260 access points includes 26 owned/operated/ventured/affiliated hospitals, 23 joint ventured ambulatory surgical centers, 50 satellite outpatient locations, four senior centers and 156 HealthTexas Provider Network physician clinics.

For more information, visit www.BaylorHealth.com or call (214) 820-3055

About Texas Oncology

Texas Oncology delivers high-quality cancer care with leading-edge technology and advanced treatment and therapy options available to help patients achieve "More breakthroughs. More victories."® in their fights against cancer, right in their own communities. Texas Oncology, a pioneer in community-based cancer care, is an independent oncology practice with sites of service throughout Texas, southern New Mexico, and southeastern Oklahoma. Texas Breast Specialists and Texas Urology Specialists, which focus on all areas of breast and urologic care, are a part of Texas Oncology.

Texas Oncology patients have the opportunity to take part in some of the most promising clinical trials in the nation for a broad range of cancers. Through its affiliation with US Oncology and the US Oncology Research network, Texas Oncology participates in innovative clinical trials from Phase I through Phase IV, and has played a role in the development of 43 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved cancer therapies.

For more information, visit www.TexasOncology.com or call 1-888-864-I CAN (4226).

About US Oncology

US Oncology, Inc., a division of McKesson Corporation, is a leading integrated oncology company. By uniting one of the largest community-based cancer treatment and research networks in America, US Oncology expands patient access to high-quality care and advances the science of cancer care. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, US Oncology is affiliated with 1,400 community-based oncologists, and works with patients, hospitals, payers, and the medical industry across all phases of the cancer research and delivery continuum. By promoting the use of innovative technology, clinical research, evidence-based medicine and shared best practices, US Oncology improves patient outcomes and offers a better patient experience.

For more information, visit www.USOncology.com.

SOURCE US Oncology, Inc.