For Physicians

We partner with you in the care of your patients by providing expert consultation, collaborative treatment planning and ongoing support throughout their proton treatment experience.

Call 844-646-6460 to Refer

A Resource for You and Your Patient

As the only proton therapy center in the state of Georgia, we serve as a specialized resource for physicians and their patients across the region.

Physician and dosimetrist standing in front of monitors.

Our team can deliver proton therapy in coordination with other oncology specialists outside of Winship, partnering with a patient’s existing care team whether they are across town or across the world.

Telehealth appointments are available for patients who wish to learn more before coming to Atlanta. Our team is available to help identify housing and transportation resources for patients. The center is conveniently located in Midtown Atlanta and provides complimentary valet parking and free on-site garage parking for patients.

The Emory Proton Therapy Center is:

The only proton therapy center in Georgia.
Equipped with advanced intensity-modulated pencil beam scanning technology in all five treatment rooms.
Part of Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Georgia's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, offering access to innovative research and clinical trials.
Staffed by disease site specialists with the expertise to determine how proton therapy can be used as part of a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan.

Technology and Capabilities

We offer the most advanced proton therapy technology available. Each of the five treatment rooms features pencil-beam scanning, which delivers a narrow stream of protons that are magnetically steered to “paint” the radiation to the shape of the target. Advanced imaging in the treatment room, including cone-beam CT scans, allows for precise patient alignment before treatment delivery.

The freestanding proton center provides all resources needed to design and deliver proton therapy for both adults and children, including on-site CT for radiation planning and MRI for treatment planning or diagnostic images, blood draws for labs, minor procedures such as fiducial marker placement, fluid resuscitation, and sedation and anesthesia services for children. Patients may be seen in consultation at the proton center or at other Winship locations to provide the most convenient scheduling and care coordination.

Is Proton Therapy Right for My Patient?

Our radiation oncologists use clinical guidelines and the latest evidence to determine whether proton therapy is appropriate for each patient. Factors they consider include:

Tumor type and stage
Patient age, prognosis and life expectancy
Potential for proton therapy to reduce radiation-related side effects
Proximity of the tumor to critical organs and tissues
Genetic conditions that may increase sensitivity to radiation

Patient Referrals

Our radiation oncologists are available to discuss patient cases, evaluate potential indications for proton therapy and help identify the most appropriate treatment options. We look forward to partnering with you in your patient's care.

To refer a patient, please call us toll-free at 844-646-6460.

Call 844-646-6460 to Refer

WinshipMD: Direct Access to Your Colleagues

The WinshipMD app is a physician and clinical trials directory available exclusively to physicians and advanced practice providers. Users can search Winship physicians by name, location or specialty and access direct contact information and active clinical trials.

Access WinshipMD

Clinical Benefits of Proton Therapy

Proton therapy is an extremely precise form of radiation treatment.

Meningioma imaging comparison of single proton beam (left) and single photon beam (right).

Most radiation treatments use X-rays, but proton therapy uses protons, which are tiny particles from the center of an atom. Compared to a beam of X-rays, a proton beam can better concentrate the radiation in the target, conforming more closely to the shape and depth of a tumor and avoiding normal, healthy tissues. Another unique feature is that after treating the target, protons come to a complete stop, meaning they deliver no radiation dose to areas beyond the target, resulting in less radiation to healthy tissues around the tumor.

Because proton beams can reduce or eliminate radiation to sensitive normal healthy tissues and organs, proton therapy may reduce some of the side effects that can occur as a result of radiation treatments and may reduce some potential long-term side effects and risks that can occur months or years after radiation treatment.

Clinical benefits of proton therapy include:

Reduced or avoidance of unnecessary radiation to nontarget healthy tissues and organs
May result in fewer side effects and risks compared to photons in certain patients
Reduced risk of secondary cancers caused by radiation
Helpful in treating complex or irregularly shaped tumors that are in close proximity to vital organs, critical structures, or important healthy tissue
May be used to treat tumors that have recurred after prior radiation treatment, a situation where other types of radiation may not be a good option

Learn More About Proton Therapy