Oklahoma Proton Center, LLC (“OPC”) reopened yesterday for treatment after a brief shutdown. Doctors at the center have seen patients in consult for the past two months in preparation for treatments to begin this week. The center had been temporarily closed for equipment upgrades after an ownership change. About twenty patients with different cancer diagnoses are scheduled to begin treatment over the coming weeks.
Daniel Keeslar was one of four patients starting treatment yesterday:“The clinical team at the center is one of the most experienced in the country having treated thousands of patients over the past ten years. That fact, combined with the reduced side effects proton therapy offers, made it an easy decision for me when considering treatment options for my prostate cancer.”
OPC (formerly the ProCure Proton Therapy Center) was the sixth proton center in the United States when it opened in 2009. As one of the early pioneers in the field of proton therapy, the facility developed protocols and technology currently in use at a number of centers around the U.S. OPC has treated patients from thirty-eight different states and remains a regional destination for advanced cancer care as one of just five proton centers in the Southwest.
A group with strong local ties and a combined twenty-five years of experience in the proton industry led the acquisition of the center from ProCure, raising $29mm to recapitalize the facility and upgrade equipment. “This proton center has been an important part of the Oklahoma City community and we are excited to continue providing world class cancer care here for years to come,” said David Raubach, Chief Development Officer and a member of the center’s new ownership and management team.
Ion Beam Applications SA (“IBA”) partnered with Oklahoma Proton Center to implement equipment upgrades and will continue to provide maintenance and operational support going forward. IBA is the industry leader in proton therapy equipment manufacturing with more than 25 facilities in clinical operation today.
OPC is hosting a health and wellness expo from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in conjunction with the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute on May 18th and will offer tours of the facility and particle accelerator as part of the event.
About proton therapy:
Proton therapy is the most precise form of radiation treatment for cancer available in the U.S. Unlike other forms of radiation used in cancer care such as X-Rays, protons stop inside tumors thus reducing healthy tissue exposed to radiation. Nearly 200,000 patients have been treated with proton therapy worldwide. Protons are routinely used to treat solid tumors including prostate, breast, brain, head and neck, lung, esophageal, soft tissue and pediatric tumors.
About Oklahoma Proton Center
Oklahoma Proton Center (“OPC”) is a state-of-the-art proton therapy center in Oklahoma City, OK. The facility opened in August of 2009 and is one of just 32 proton centers in the country. As one of the early leaders in the field of proton therapy, OPC is dedicated to excellent patient care and advancing proton therapy through innovation and clinical research.