St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and UF Proton Therapy Institute to Begin Proton Therapy Clin...(will be provided by Nemours Children's C...),Health

"It is central to our mission to realize the full potential of protons in the treatment of children," said Dr. Nancy Mendenhall, medical director at UF Proton Therapy Institute. "In cooperation with St. Jude, we will have both clinical and research expertise to provide the best outcomes for patients and to create new knowledge that will guide the development of proton therapy for future patients."

St. Jude leads the field in the application of intensified modulated radiation therapy, known as IMRT. The technique is effective at avoiding damage to adjacent tissues; however, IMRT can still deliver significant radiation doses to underlying tissues resulting in unavoidable side effects for some children. Proton therapy can be focused more precisely and intensely on specific areas of cancerous activity. Protons can also be energized for a desired degree of tumor penetration, thus sparing underlying tissues from radiation exposure.

UF Proton Therapy Institute is one of only six proton therapy centers in the United States. Since opening in August 2006, UF Proton Therapy Institute has treated 100 pediatric patients.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please vis
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