For the first time, patients in Wisconsin can access one of the most precise forms of radiation therapy without leaving the state, bringing a level of treatment that was once out of reach into everyday cancer care.

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) have opened Wisconsin’s first proton therapy clinic at the Clinical Cancer Center on the Froedtert Hospital campus, establishing a new standard for how cancer is treated across the state. What once required patients to travel long distances, disrupt their lives, and navigate care far from home is now available close to where they live and receive treatment.

“This is a defining moment for cancer care in our state. We now have the ability to deliver radiation with an extraordinary level of precision, which changes how we approach some of the most challenging cancers,” said William Hall, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology; Bob Uecker Chair in Pancreatic Cancer Research.

This transformational shift is already in motion. In March, the clinic treated its first patient, a milestone shaped by years of focused investment and coordination across clinical, research, and technical teams. What began as a long-term commitment is now part of everyday care, with patients actively receiving treatment.

For clinicians, proton therapy offers a higher level of precision and control. The treatment is designed to match the shape of the tumor and stop at a defined point, reducing unnecessary exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. That level of accuracy is especially important for tumors near critical organs, for patients who have already received radiation, and for children and adults whose long-term health depends on limiting lasting effects.

Bringing proton therapy to Wisconsin underscores the institution’s commitment to continually improving treatment outcomes and ensuring that higher standards of cancer care are delivered close to home.

Expanding the Reach of Discovery

Beyond expanding access to advanced care, proton therapy strengthens the Cancer Center’s ability to lead the next wave of research. It builds on an already robust clinical trials portfolio and opens new avenues for studying how radiation can be delivered with greater precision, how it performs across different tumor types, and how it can be combined with other therapies to improve outcomes.

“Proton therapy gives us a powerful new platform to expand our clinical research portfolio. It allows us to design more precise trials, integrate advanced radiation approaches with systemic therapies, and accelerate how new strategies move from research into patient care,” said Mehdi Hamadani, MD, MCW Cancer Center Associate Director of Clinical Research.

That potential is grounded in how the technology works. Each treatment begins with high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to map the tumor in three dimensions. From there, clinicians design a plan that directs the proton beam at specific angles and depths, calibrated so that most of its energy is released at the tumor site. During treatment, imaging and motion management systems track even small movements, such as breathing, to keep the beam aligned.

Unlike conventional radiation, which continues through the body, proton beams stop once they reach their target. That level of control allows clinicians to concentrate radiation where it is needed while reducing exposure beyond the tumor.

For researchers, that precision translates into clearer insight. It enables more controlled studies, more targeted clinical trials, and a deeper understanding of how radiation dose and distribution influence both effectiveness and long-term effects. It also creates a foundation to continue building an integrated clinical research program, where new approaches to radiation can be studied, refined, and brought into practice more effectively.

Precision That Protects What Comes Next

For pediatric patients, the importance of precision carries even greater weight.

Children’s bodies are still developing, and radiation can affect growth, organ function, and cognitive development over time. Proton therapy allows clinicians to treat cancer while limiting exposure to healthy tissue, helping protect how children grow, learn, and live in the years that follow. By reducing radiation to surrounding organs, it can lower the risk of long-term side effects and future complications, including the potential for secondary cancers.

“The goal is not only to treat the cancer in front of us, but to protect a child’s future. By limiting radiation to healthy tissues, we can reduce the risk of long-term complications and support better outcomes as children grow,” said Selim Firat, MD, Medical Director, Proton Therapy Clinic; Director of Pediatric Radiation Oncology, Children’s Wisconsin.

Through a close partnership with Children’s Wisconsin, proton therapy is now available to pediatric patients across the region, allowing families to access this level of care without leaving their support systems behind.

As more patients live longer after a cancer diagnosis, the definition of success is changing. It’s no longer only about treating disease, but about preserving quality of life, maintaining cognitive and physical function, and reducing the long-term burden of treatment. Proton therapy supports that shift by delivering effective treatment while reducing exposure that can lead to lasting side effects, hospitalizations, and complications.

As cancer care shifts to place greater emphasis on survivorship and life beyond treatment, proton therapy is helping this institution lead the way.