Welcome to the Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center (formerly Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute)! We are pleased that you found us and are interested in learning more about proton therapy.

Proton therapy is a unique treatment that has proved to be as effective as, and in some cases more effective than, other forms of cancer treatments. It is a highly precise, noninvasive, nonsurgical procedure. It targets the tumor and causes minimal damage to surrounding tissues, as compared to conventional therapy. The results are highly effective and the side effects are generally minimal or nonexistent. This combination of effectiveness and reduced side effects has led thousands of people worldwide to choose proton therapy instead of surgery or other forms of radiation therapy.

As you are undoubtedly researching proton therapy to determine if it is a treatment option for you, a loved one, or a patient, consider the following:

• The IU Health Proton Therapy Center is one of only ten proton therapy centers in operation in the U.S. and is the first proton facility in the Midwest.
• Our treatment staff consists of board certified radiation oncology physicians, licensed nurses, licensed radiation therapists – who specialize in pediatric and adult treatment – and a credentialed medical physics staff.
• We are an affiliate program of the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer – Indiana’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center that provides patient care and Indiana University Health (formerly Clarian Health) – which has been ranked among America’s elite medical centers by U.S.News & World Report for 14 consecutive years.
• The IU Health Proton Therapy Center is the only U.S. proton therapy center associated with a university-based proton therapy technology research group via Indiana University Cyclotron Operations, which conducts research in nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, accelerator physics, condensed matter, and the life sciences.
• The IU Health Proton Therapy Center pediatric program is affiliated with Riley Hospital for Children, which is ranked among the top 30 children's hospitals in the nation in U.S. News & World Report's 2010-11 edition of America's Best Children's Hospitals.
• The IU Health Proton Therapy Center is the only proton therapy center in the U.S. that employs a technologically advanced uniform-scanning beam for dose delivery to reduce the peripheral dose and neutron production, which has advantages over the double-scattering beam which is employed in all other proton therapy facilities in the U.S.
• Proton therapy is not experimental and has been used in the United States since 1946.
• Research accomplishments include papers and presentations at local, national and international meetings by physicians, physicists and therapists. Our research has also been published in multiple high profile peer-reviewed journals.
• Proton therapy is covered by numerous health insurance plans including Medicare.
• Our location in Bloomington, Ind., is ideal for an extended stay. The community is welcoming to visitors and has much to offer with activities, events, and accommodations. Patients come from around the world to receive treatment at the IU Health Proton Therapy Center.