More than 200 patients treated with advanced technology

On Sept. 9, 2014, Willis-Knighton began a new era of cancer care, treating its first patient at the WK Proton Therapy Center. Last month, the center marked another milestone, treating its 200th patient with protons.

Willis-Knighton’s commitment to advanced technology was instituted with the installing of the world’s first compact cyclotron, Proteus®ONE, in the new building. This technology features pencilbeam precision to target tumors, and for the past two years it has offered that precision targeting to a wide range of patients. Among the cancers treated with protons are brain, breast, bladder, colon, esophagus, head and neck, lung, pancreas, prostate, spine and a number of disease sites in the pelvis (colon/ rectum, uterus, vagina, etc.).

“The addition of proton therapy at Willis- Knighton has significantly improved the quality of cancer care for patients in this region,” said Lane Rosen, MD, director of radiation oncology. “Our experience has shown proton therapy to be a valid and often superior treatment for certain cancers. We look forward to continuing to lead the world in state-of-the-art proton therapy.”

The proton therapy unit has been tremendously successful, attracting patients from six states who came to Shreveport for this technology. In addition to attracting out-of-town patients, the WK Proton Therapy Center has brought national and international physicians and health-care executives to Shreveport to learn about this exciting technology. The American Society for Radiation Oncology has visited the center to film patient care videos using Willis-Knighton’s facilities and physicians.

Although technology is a major focus at the Cancer Center, it is only one of a broad range of services available to people being treated for cancer – from advanced immunotherapy to robotic surgery, from support groups and classes to transportation and support for outof-town patients.

Willis-Knighton Cancer Center is taking its position regionally, nationally and internationally as an excellent place to receive cancer treatment.