Boca Raton Hospital to Add Proton Therapy Center

New facility will offer advanced cancer treatment with precision radiation

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital is set to open a new proton therapy center this summer, expanding access to one of the most advanced forms of radiation treatment in Palm Beach County. Proton therapy allows doctors to better limit radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue compared to traditional photon radiation, which can be especially important for patients with left-sided breast cancer.

Why it matters

The addition of a proton therapy center reflects a growing focus on cancer care that aims to not only treat tumors, but also protect patients' long-term health and quality of life. Proton therapy can be a valuable tool in certain cases, but doctors will carefully evaluate each patient's individual needs to determine the best treatment approach.

The details

The new proton therapy center will be located at the Lynn Cancer Institute's Harvey & Phyllis Sandler Pavilion. Unlike traditional photon radiation, proton therapy can be controlled to stop at a specific depth, limiting radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue. This precision can be especially important for patients with left-sided breast cancer, where the heart sits close to the treatment area. The center will give doctors more flexibility to tailor treatment to each individual patient's needs by having both proton and photon radiation therapy available in one location.

  • The new proton therapy center is set to open this summer.

The players

Lynn Cancer Institute

A cancer treatment facility at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health.

Youssef Zeidan, M.D.

A radiation oncologist at the Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

Joseph Panoff, M.D.

A radiation oncologist at the Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute.

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What they’re saying

“With today's technology, it's no longer just about treating the cancer — it's about how we treat it. Our goal is to deliver radiation with precision while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues, so patients can maintain their quality of life long after treatment ends.”

— Youssef Zeidan, M.D., Radiation Oncologist (News Release)

“Proton therapy allows us to more precisely target the tumor while limiting radiation beyond it. In simple terms, we can better focus treatment on where it's needed and reduce unnecessary exposure to surrounding healthy structures.”

— Youssef Zeidan, M.D., Radiation Oncologist (News Release)

“Proton therapy is a powerful tool, but it's not automatically the best choice for every patient. Traditional photon radiation remains extremely effective and safe for most breast cancer cases. We carefully evaluate each patient's anatomy, cancer stage, overall health, and long-term risk factors before recommending a specific approach.”

— Joseph Panoff, M.D., Radiation Oncologist (News Release)

What’s next

The new proton therapy center at the Lynn Cancer Institute is scheduled to open this summer.

The takeaway

The addition of a proton therapy center at the Lynn Cancer Institute reflects a growing focus in cancer care on not just treating tumors, but also protecting patients' long-term health and quality of life through more precise and targeted radiation treatments.