Maryland's Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2016 - 11

ON THE MAP
Proton Treatment Center (MPTC), located at the BioPark on
the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and
led by radiation oncologists from the University of Maryland,
is one of fewer than two dozen proton centers in the country.

FOR CANCER CARE

Dr. Kevin Cullen

Proton therapy is a highly advanced and very precise form
of radiation that is extremely effective in treating a wide
variety of localized tumors. Most commonly, these are tumors
found in the brain, base of the skull, head and neck area, eye,
lung, prostate, liver, breast, spinal cord and gastrointestinal
tract. The therapy is also a very important treatment option
for children with cancer.
William Regine, MD, executive director of the Maryland
Proton Treatment Center, who is also professor and Isadore
& Fannie Schneider Foxman Chair, Department of Radiation
Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, says proton therapy is "a powerful tool in the cancer-fighting toolbox.
When it comes to radiation oncology, at the University of Maryland, we are now able to offer our patients the most cuttingedge technology available to help them conquer cancer."
Proton therapy delivers an increased radiation dose that
stops specifically at the tumor site, which means much of the
surrounding normal tissue is protected. Proton treatment is
easily tolerated, noninvasive and often results in fewer side

effects than traditional radiation. It can also be used in
conjunction with chemotherapy and surgery.
MPTC treatment rooms are equipped with what's known as
"pencil beam" or intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT).

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN NCI-CCC
■ We offer leading-edge cancer

■ We present more clinical trial options,

treatments, some of which are

which provide greater hope for patients.

available only here.

Also, minority participation in clinical

■ We employ a growing group of
some of the world's leading cancer
researchers and physicians.
■ We develop new and improved
therapies for breast, prostate and
blood cancers (to name a few),
which are making a global impact.

trials, which is only about 2 percent nationwide, is over 30 percent at UMGCCC.
■ We train the next generation of cancer
doctors and researchers, including
those from our community.
■ We continually make discoveries that will
lead to better cancer prevention.

umgccc.org/NCI. To make an appointment, please call 410-328-7904.

Through the University of
Maryland Cancer Network,
cancer patients treated
at other University of
Maryland cancer centers
benefit from UMGCCC's
expertise and growing
clinical trials program.
umm.edu/midtown | Fall 2016

http://umgccc.org/NCI http://www.umm.edu/midtown

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland's Health Matters - Midtown - Fall 2016