McLaren Proton Therapy Center in Michigan | Cancer Treatment

McLaren Proton Therapy Center In Michigan

If you or a loved one has cancer, the McLaren Proton Therapy Center, part of the Karmanos Cancer Network, offers the most powerful and precise radiation oncology treatment available. Our highly skilled and experienced team of cancer specialists work collaboratively to provide a personalized treatment plan for each person’s individual cancer and situation. Serving Michigan, Canada, and other surrounding areas, we are dedicated to helping our patients in their fights against cancer.

A Safer Alternative To Traditional Cancer Treatments

Patient and wife at Proton Therapy Center check-in

Located in Flint, Michigan, the McLaren Proton Therapy Center features leading cancer treatment technology and expertise to deliver proton therapy with superior precision. This advanced Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) technology delivers highly targeted, higher doses of radiation to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, greatly lowering the risk of secondary cancer, reducing side effects, and resulting in successful outcomes.

We pride ourselves on creating a first-class patient experience for every individual that chooses the McLaren Proton Therapy Center for their care. We are fully dedicated to ensuring that your treatment is streamlined, comfortable, and convenient, and that you and your family members have access to all of the services and support you need.

Learn More About Proton Therapy Cancer Treatment

Request More Information

Proton therapy saves Michigan woman’s sight

Proton Therapy Patient Story - Catherine Loss

Dr. Gayar shares his excitement to bring Upright Radiotherapy to McLaren Proton Therapy Center

Plan Your Visit

McLaren Proton Therapy Center
4100 Beecher Rd
Flint, MI 48532

Directions & Parking Patient & Visitors Get Directions

McLaren Proton Therapy Patient Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

Proton therapy is the most technologically advanced method to deliver radiation treatments to cancerous tumors available today. A large machine called a synchrotron extracts protons from hydrogen atoms, accelerating them to almost the speed of light, and delivering the radiation with pinpoint accuracy. The unique characteristics of how protons interact within the human body allow it to deliver curative radiation doses while reducing doses to healthy tissues and organs, resulting in fewer complications and side effects than standard radiation therapy.

Proton therapy is a highly targeted, precise radiation therapy that allows physicians to aim the highest dose of radiation at the tumor while avoiding healthy surrounding tissues. It is especially effective for cancerous tumors in sensitive areas. In addition, proton therapy is non-invasive and may reduce side effects, allowing patients to maintain their quality of life during and after treatment.

Proton therapy can treat all solid-tumor cancers, including breast, colorectal, lung, brain, head and neck and prostate cancer. It benefits patients whose tumors are solid with defined borders, meaning the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. Proton therapy is often the only choice when treating tumors that were previously irradiated (i.e., treated with conventional radiation). Proton therapy is sometimes used in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy. It may be used instead of surgery in some cases, making it ideal for inoperable tumors. If you have a cancer where it is likely to be effective, we will evaluate your diagnosis to find the best option.

Proton therapy leads to the potential for fewer harmful side effects. For some patients, this makes proton therapy a unique treatment choice. Protons slowly deposit energy as they travel toward the cancerous tumor, depositing the majority of the radiation dose directly into the tumor, and traveling no further through the body. This results in fewer healthy tissues and organs receiving unnecessary radiation, thereby reducing unwanted complications and side effects. Standard radiation therapy uses X-rays, which deposits the majority of the radiation dose immediately upon entering the body on the way to the tumor. And unlike protons, X-rays continue traveling through the body after reaching the tumor until they exit out the other side. This results in the delivery of unnecessary radiation to healthy tissues and organs. Simply put, protons STOP after depositing the radiation dose in the tumor; X-rays do not.

The McLaren Proton Therapy Center, part of the Karmanos Cancer Network, offers comprehensive treatment and diagnosis services for cancer patients in Flint, Michigan.This allows us not only to offer the latest generation of advanced technologies to fight cancers, but also to provide a comprehensive set of services that cancer patients need, all under one roof. The proton pencil-beam scanning available at the McLaren Proton Therapy Center is the ideal technology for treating irregularly shaped tumors near sensitive areas. In addition, our pencil-beam scanning capability makes it possible for us to offer intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT). IMPT is a highly specialized proton therapy that delivers a precise dose of protons, often to constrained targets.

If you are within 1 ½ -2 hours from the Proton Therapy Center, you could probably drive in each day, but some patients may choose to temporarily relocate to the area. The McLaren Hospitality House, located on the campus of the McLaren Proton Therapy Center, provides convenient, comfortable and low-cost lodging for patients and families, complete with kitchen and laundry facilities. Our patient support services team can provide information about the McLaren Hospitality House and the surrounding area.

View All