As Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winship Cancer Center of Emory University researchers are pioneers in the treatment of esophageal cancer. Each year, they lead dozens of clinical trials to develop and study new esophageal cancer treatment options. We offer access to the latest esophageal cancer treatments you may not find at other cancer centers, and we make every effort to match as many patients as possible to ongoing research.
The radiation oncologists at Emory Proton Therapy Center work with the multidisciplinary Esophageal cancer team at Winship, which includes experts in thoracic surgery, surgical oncology, gastroenterology, medical oncology, radiology, pathology, supportive oncology, dieticians, social workers, physical therapy, and cancer rehabilitation. Your esophageal radiation oncologist will work closely with these and other specialists to customize your esophageal cancer treatment plan and coordinate your care. We can also partner and coordinate with a patient’s existing care team, whether they are across town or around the world.
Proton Therapy for Esophageal Cancer
An esophageal cancer diagnosis can be one of the biggest challenges you and your family will ever face. Our team is dedicated to helping you meet that challenge through supportive care using the most advanced esophageal cancer treatments available. Proton therapy for esophageal cancer is an increasingly adopted radiation treatment approach that may offer greater precision while helping reduce radiation exposure to nearby organs such as the heart and lungs. Our esophageal cancer specialists will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan that aims for fewer side effects and improved quality of life.
What We Treat
- Esophageal adenocarcinoma
- Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
- Gastroesophageal (GE junction) cancer
- Re-irradiation
Patient Stories
“I evaluated six treatment options before choosing Emory Proton Therapy Center. From the physicians to the front desk to the valet — the professionalism and care has been extraordinary at every single touchpoint. I’ve bragged about this place to everyone I know.”
“I’ve been through it, and I can’t say enough about the amazing care I received. The team who handled my treatments was absolutely wonderful, making a difficult time so much easier to navigate.”
My experience at Emory was incredible—it was as easy as drinking water! The therapy sessions only took about 5 to 10 minutes, and right after, I’d go for a 4-mile walk every single day. I had no side effects whatsoever—I can’t even tell that I had the treatment. Emory truly saved my life, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Stephen, a 36-year old father from Columbus, Georgia, is one of the almost 2000 patients who have been treated at the Emory Proton Therapy Center since it opened in December 2018. He completed six weeks of proton therapy to treat a brain tumor.
“I went through 37 treatments for prostate cancer at the Emory Proton Center two years ago. The care I received from their team of professionals was amazing. I was willing to travel from South Carolina for treatment, and I’m so thankful I did. I started this fight in 2017 and today my PSA is still undetectable. Truly amazing folks.”
Proton therapy gave Zack his best shot at treating a spinal tumor that had come back. Zack was one of the first patients treated at the Emory Proton Therapy Center after it opened in 2018. The treatments, every weekday for six weeks, took less than one hour of his day and gave Zack the greatest odds of a long life with his wife and children.
Tony was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019 and sought care from experts at Emory Proton Therapy Center. He’s confident that the advanced radiation therapy gave him the best cancer treatment possible and says the comfort and care he got from Winship doctors and staff were unmatched. “There were many great solutions here in Atlanta, but the best to me was Emory Proton Therapy Center,” says Tony.
Why Choose Emory Proton Therapy Center?
At Emory Proton Therapy Center, patients receive care as part of Winship Cancer Institute, Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Your care team includes specialists from multiple disciplines who collaborate to develop a treatment plan tailored to your diagnosis and goals.
Patients are treated using advanced proton therapy technology and detailed planning techniques designed to precisely target tumors while limiting radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. For cancers in the chest, such as esophageal cancer, this precision is an important part of treatment planning.
Patients also have access to supportive services, including nutrition, rehabilitation, and survivorship resources, to support them throughout treatment and recovery.
Benefits of Proton Therapy
In treatment of esophageal cancers, proton therapy may help reduce or avoid radiation to surrounding healthy tissue and organs.
Proton therapy is designed to deliver radiation with a high degree of precision, allowing treatment to be focused on the tumor while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. For patients with esophageal cancer, this approach may help reduce the risk of complications and improve overall treatment tolerance.
Depending on the tumor location and type, proton therapy may achieve the following benefits:
- Reduced risk of inflammation of the heart (pericarditis) and future heart problems like hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), stiffening of the heart muscle (fibrosis, cardiomyopathy), and heart attacks.
- Reduced risk of inflammation of the lungs (radiation pneumonitis), and problems with lung function (lung fibrosis).
- Reduced risk of nausea and diarrhea.
- Reduced radiation to the bone marrow and circulating lymphocytes, which may help support the function of the immune system in fighting cancer.
- Reduced risk of low blood counts (anemia, neutropenia) which may support the body’s tolerance of chemotherapy.
- Reduced risk of developing a future second tumor or cancer, which is most relevant in younger patients, those with a good prognosis and a long life expectancy, and those patients who may have genetic conditions putting them at higher risk for developing other cancers.
At Emory Proton Therapy Center, care is delivered by a team with experience treating a wide range of gastrointestinal and thoracic cancers, with treatment plans adapted over time based on patient response and clinical needs.
Patients benefit from coordinated care across specialties, including radiation oncology, medical oncology, thoracic surgery, and supportive care services.
Why Proton Therapy May Matter for Esophageal Cancer
The goal of radiation therapy is to treat the cancer effectively while limiting unnecessary radiation exposure to healthy tissue. This can be especially important in esophageal cancer, where the esophagus lies close to the heart, lungs, and other critical structures.
Proton therapy can reduce radiation dose to nearby organs and tissue compared with some conventional radiation approaches. Because of this, some studies have reported lower rates of severe side effects and fewer treatment-related hospitalizations.
For many patients, proton therapy is one part of a broader treatment plan that may also include chemotherapy, surgery, immunotherapy, or other therapies depending on the stage and characteristics of the cancer.
Schedule a Consultation
What to Expect With Proton Therapy
The first step in your care is a consultation. During consultation, we review your medical history, perform a physical exam, decide if any additional tests are needed, discuss all radiation options that may be appropriate for your treatment plan, make recommendations, and answer questions.
To plan your treatment, you will undergo a “simulation” or planning session. During this visit our radiation therapists will help position you the way you will be treated each day. A CT scan will be done to create a picture of you in the treatment position to design your radiation plan. It normally takes 10 days for the team to design the proton treatment plan and perform the quality assurance checks before treatment begins.
Proton therapy is typically delivered once daily during weekdays, Monday through Friday. Most patients with esophageal cancer receive five to six weeks of daily radiation with weekly chemotherapy, followed by surgery for those who are candidates for surgery. While some situations are treated with radiation alone, proton therapy is often integrated with surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or other cancer treatments as part of a comprehensive plan of care.
Like other types of radiation, proton therapy treatments are invisible and painless. Most esophageal cancer treatments average 30 minutes each day in the treatment room.
Patients are seen by the radiation oncology physician team weekly during treatment to monitor progress, answer questions, address concerns, and manage any side effects from treatment. Your radiation oncologist will discuss a plan to assess response to treatment and for long-term follow-up after therapy.
Studies on Proton Therapy in Esophageal Cancer
Our team has identified these studies as examples of the clinical benefits of proton therapy in esophageal cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Proton Therapy Effective For Esophageal Cancer?
Proton therapy is an established form of radiation treatment for esophageal cancer and is often used as part of a comprehensive approach that may include chemotherapy and surgery. As part of an esophageal cancer proton therapy treatment plan, it is designed to target the tumor while limiting radiation to surrounding organs.
How Does Proton Therapy Compare To IMRT For Esophageal Cancer?
Proton therapy and IMRT are both established radiation treatments. The main difference is how the radiation is delivered. Proton therapy allows for more targeted dose placement, which can help limit exposure to nearby structures such as the heart and lungs.
What Is The Difference Between Proton Therapy And Traditional Radiation For Esophageal Cancer?
Traditional radiation uses X-rays that pass through the body, delivering dose to both the tumor and surrounding tissues. Proton therapy delivers radiation in a way that concentrates the dose at the tumor site with less spillover beyond the target. This is particularly relevant for esophageal cancer given the esophagus’s proximity to the heart and lungs
Does Proton Therapy Reduce Side Effects For Esophageal Cancer Patients?
Because proton therapy concentrates dose at the tumor, less radiation reaches surrounding healthy tissue. Side effect profiles vary by tumor location, treatment plan, and individual patient factors. Your care team can discuss what to expect based on your specific diagnosis.
Does Proton Therapy Protect The Heart And Lungs During Treatment?
Proton therapy is designed to limit radiation dose to nearby organs such as the heart and lungs. For patients with esophageal cancer, this level of precision is especially important given how close these organs are to the treatment area.
Can Proton Therapy Be Used For Esophageal Cancer?
Yes. Proton therapy is commonly used in the treatment of esophageal cancer, often alongside chemotherapy and, for some patients, surgery. At Emory Proton Therapy Center, treatment decisions are made by a multidisciplinary team to determine the most appropriate approach for each patient.