Press Release: 5/14/2026

Massachusetts Public Health Council Votes to Approve Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Proposal to Build Proton Therapy Center

 

Posted date

May 13, 2026

Approval of the Determination of Need helps increase access to lifesaving proton therapy treatment for pediatric and adult cancer patients 

Today, the Massachusetts Public Health Council (PHC) voted unanimously to approve a Determination of Need (DoN) for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to build a proton therapy center on its Longwood Medical Campus.



"We appreciate the support of the PHC and our community members in approving Dana-Farber’s proposal for a proton therapy center," said Dr. Benjamin L. Ebert, President and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. "The newly approved proton therapy center will expand access to cutting-edge treatment and strengthen our commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative care for pediatric and adult patients across the region."



Dana-Farber is committed to reimagining the future of cancer care, and proton therapy is an important part of that mission. The new proton therapy center will be the first proton center in New England to treat patients in a seated or inclined position, using a compact proton treatment system that moves the patient around the proton beam, a method that reduces the center’s footprint and lowers project costs. By making proton therapy available to patients throughout the region, the new center will treat both Dana-Farber patients and those referred from local hospitals, with follow-up care provided at their home hospitals after treatment.



Proton therapy is the preferred radiation treatment for many pediatric solid tumors and is also medically necessary for certain adult patients. Because it delivers radiation with greater precision than traditional approaches, proton therapy can better protect healthy tissue and reduce the risk of serious long-term side effects, especially in children. The new proton center will expand access to this advanced treatment and ensure more patients across the region can receive the most effective care closer to home.



"Dana-Farber's new proton center will expand access to advanced radiation therapy and help ensure that patients who are most likely to benefit can receive highly specialized care closer to home," said Peter F. Orio, DO, MS, Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Dana-Farber.



Following this final step in the approval process, construction will begin in Spring 2026, and the new proton therapy center will open to patients in late 2027.