UNC Health has announced plans to introduce proton therapy, a highly targeted form of radiation treatment, at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. This move will provide patients in North Carolina’s Triangle region with access to advanced cancer care without the need to travel out of state.
Proton therapy is recognized for its ability to deliver radiation directly to tumors while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. This can be particularly important for children with brain tumors or adults with cancers located near sensitive areas such as the spine or heart. According to UNC Health, this precision may lead to fewer side effects and improved long-term outcomes for patients with complex or hard-to-reach cancers.
The new technology will be integrated into UNC Hospitals’ existing radiation oncology program rather than being housed in a separate facility. Patients will receive treatment from familiar physicians and support teams, maintaining continuity of care.
“This is about advancing care responsibly,” said Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD, Chief of Oncology Clinical Services for UNC Health. “We are expanding access to innovative treatment in a way that is sustainable, patient-centered, and aligned with our mission to serve North Carolinians.”
The addition of proton therapy is expected to streamline the delivery of cancer care by reducing travel time and other burdens often associated with seeking specialized treatments elsewhere. The system will offer flexible options such as upright positioning during therapy sessions.
“For patients and families facing cancer, access matters — access to the right care, at the right time, without unnecessary burden,” said Jean Wright, MD, chair of the UNC Department of Radiation Oncology. “By offering innovative proton therapy here in the Triangle, we’re bringing highly advanced treatment closer to home and integrating it into the care environment patients already know and trust.”
Both adult and pediatric patients will be eligible for proton therapy when it becomes available—the first such offering in the Triangle region. Treatment is anticipated to begin in approximately two years.
UNC Health will use the MEVION S250-FIT Proton Therapy System—a compact device designed for integration within existing medical facilities. Mevion manufactures these systems domestically.
As part of its role as an academic medical center, UNC Health also plans to study how proton therapy can contribute to cancer research and improve options for complex cases.
UNC Health operates 20 hospitals and more than 900 clinics throughout North Carolina as part of its affiliation with the University of North Carolina system.
