What to Expect Before, During, and After Proton Therapy at Kansas City Proton Institute

Receiving a cancer diagnosis comes with many questions, especially when you’re exploring treatment options. If your physician has recommended radiation therapy, you may have heard about proton therapy and wondered what makes it different, what the treatment process looks like, and whether it’s the right choice for you.

At Kansas City Proton Institute (KCPI), we believe education is an important part of your care. Knowing what to expect before, during, and after treatment can help you feel more confident as you begin your cancer journey.

As one of a limited number of proton therapy centers in the United States, KCPI provides advanced proton therapy to patients throughout Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, and the Heart of America region. As a division of Kansas City Urology Care (KCUC), our experienced radiation oncology team combines leading technology with compassionate, personalized care. (Kansas City Proton Institute)

What Is Proton Therapy?

Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy that uses positively charged particles (protons) to precisely target cancer cells while helping reduce radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissues and organs.

Unlike traditional X-ray (photon) radiation, proton therapy delivers most of its energy directly to the tumor and is designed to stop at the targeted area rather than continuing through the body. This precision may help reduce certain treatment-related side effects while effectively treating cancer.

Learn more about proton therapy.

Why Patients Choose KCPI Proton Therapy

Every cancer diagnosis is unique, and proton therapy isn’t the right treatment for every patient. During your consultation at Kansas City Proton Institute (KCPI), in Overland Park, KS, one of our experienced radiation oncologists will review your diagnosis, treatment goals, and overall health to determine whether proton therapy is an appropriate option for your care.

One of the biggest advantages of proton therapy is its exceptional precision. Using advanced pencil beam scanning technology, the proton beam is carefully shaped to match the size, depth, and contours of the tumor, even when tumors have complex or irregular shapes. This highly targeted approach allows radiation to be delivered directly to the tumor while reducing unnecessary exposure to nearby healthy tissues and critical organs.

Because proton therapy is designed to limit radiation beyond the treatment area, many patients may experience fewer treatment-related side effects than with conventional radiation therapy. This can be especially beneficial when treating cancers located near sensitive structures such as the brain, spinal cord, heart, lungs, eyes, and digestive organs. Preserving healthy tissue may also help maintain normal organ function and support quality of life during and after treatment.

Every proton therapy plan at KCPI is individually developed using advanced imaging, treatment planning, and the expertise of our multidisciplinary radiation oncology team. The goal is to provide the most precise treatment possible while tailoring care to each patient’s unique diagnosis and needs.

Potential Benefits of Proton Therapy

While every patient’s experience is different, proton therapy may offer several potential benefits, including:

• Precise, highly targeted treatment tailored to your tumor
• Reduced radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissues and organs
• The potential for fewer treatment-related side effects
• Greater protection of critical structures whenever possible
• Non-invasive treatment that many patients describe as comfortable
• The ability for many patients to continue many of their normal daily activities during treatment
• A personalized treatment plan developed by KCPI’s experienced radiation oncology team

Kansas City Proton Institute provides proton therapy for several cancer types and certain noncancerous tumors, including:

• Brain tumors
• Breast cancer
• Central nervous system (CNS) cancers
• Head and neck cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Testicular cancer

If you’re unsure whether proton therapy is an option for your diagnosis, our team is happy to review your medical records and discuss your treatment options.

Learn more about the cancer types treated with proton therapy at Kansas City Proton Institute, or schedule a consultation to discuss whether this advanced treatment may be right for you.

Before Proton Therapy Treatment: Your KCPI Consultation

Your proton therapy journey begins with a consultation with one of Kansas City Proton Institute’s experienced radiation oncologists. During this visit, your physician will evaluate your diagnosis, discuss your medical history and any previous treatments, and determine whether proton therapy is the right option for your specific condition.

During your consultation, your physician will:

• Review your diagnosis and medical history
• Discuss any previous cancer treatments
• Explain whether proton therapy is an appropriate treatment option
• Review the potential benefits and considerations of treatment
• Answer your questions
• Discuss insurance coverage and authorization requirements

If proton therapy is recommended, your care team will guide you through the next step: treatment planning.

Personalized Proton Therapy Treatment Planning

Once proton therapy has been recommended, you’ll undergo a specialized planning appointment designed to create a treatment plan tailored specifically to you. Every detail is carefully mapped before your first treatment to help ensure the proton beam is delivered with exceptional precision while protecting nearby healthy tissue.

Your planning appointment may include:

• CT scans and other imaging studies
• Custom positioning devices or immobilization equipment, if needed
• Precise mapping of the treatment area
• Development of your personalized treatment plan by your radiation oncologist, medical physicists, and dosimetry team

This detailed planning process helps ensure each treatment is delivered as accurately and consistently as possible.

During Proton Therapy

Once your treatment plan is complete, you’ll begin your scheduled proton therapy sessions. Many patients are surprised by how straightforward the treatment process is.

During each visit:

• You’ll check in and change into a gown if needed.
• The radiation therapists will help position you comfortably.
• Imaging may be performed to verify your treatment position.
• The treatment team leaves the room but monitors you throughout the session.
• The proton beam is delivered according to your personalized treatment plan.
• Once treatment is complete, you can typically return home shortly afterward.

Proton therapy is a non-invasive treatment. Many patients have shared that the treatment itself feels “painless” or that they don’t feel the proton beam during delivery. *However, every patient’s experience is different.

While the actual delivery of the proton beam typically takes only a few minutes, your appointment may take longer to allow time for positioning, imaging, and preparation. Most treatment visits are relatively short, although appointment lengths may vary depending on your individualized treatment plan. Many patients are able to continue their normal daily routines throughout treatment.

After Proton Therapy Treatment

After you complete your course of proton therapy, your care doesn’t end there. Your KCPI team will continue to monitor your progress and work closely with your referring physicians to support your ongoing care. Follow-up care is an important part of your treatment journey and helps your care team evaluate your response to treatment while supporting your recovery.

Following your treatment:

• Your physician will monitor your progress.
• Follow-up appointments will be scheduled.
• Imaging or additional testing may be recommended.
• Your care team will continue working with your referring physicians as needed.

Every patient’s recovery is different, and your physician will discuss what you can expect based on your specific diagnosis and treatment.

Meet Your KCPI Physicians in Overland Park, Kansas

Your care is led by experienced, board-certified radiation oncologists dedicated to providing personalized treatment.

James Coster, MD, Radiation Oncologist

Dr. James Coster works closely with each patient to develop individualized treatment plans using advanced radiation therapy techniques while emphasizing compassionate, patient-centered care.

Kenon Qamar, MD, Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Kenon Qamar combines advanced technology with personalized care, helping patients understand their treatment options while creating customized treatment plans.

Mark A. Thompson, MD, Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Mark Thompson is committed to delivering precision-focused cancer care while helping patients feel informed, supported, and confident throughout treatment.

Insurance & Financial Questions

One of the most common questions patients have is whether proton therapy is covered by insurance. Coverage varies depending on your insurance plan, diagnosis, and medical necessity, but many commercial insurance plans and Medicare may provide coverage for eligible patients.

At Kansas City Proton Institute, our team is here to help simplify the process. We can review your insurance benefits, assist with prior authorization when needed, and answer questions about coverage before treatment begins so you know what to expect.

As proton therapy becomes more widely available, more patients have access to this advanced treatment option.

“If cost was not a barrier, most patients would choose proton therapy for localized tumors,” says Kenon Qamar, MD, Radiation Oncologist at Kansas City Proton Institute. “With advancements in proton therapy technology, treatment has become much more accessible and affordable than it was in the past. While the use of proton therapy continues to grow, the gap between the number of patients who receive it and those who could benefit is still significant. Our goal is to narrow that gap for patients throughout our region.”

If you have questions about insurance coverage, referrals, or the proton therapy process, we encourage you to contact Kansas City Proton Institute.

Our knowledgeable team is happy to help you understand your options and guide you through each step of your care.

Source: Healthy Kansas City Magazine, March/April 2024, interview featuring Dr. Kenon Qamar, MD.

Why Choose Kansas City Proton Institute?

Choosing cancer treatment is about more than technology, it’s about trusting the team caring for you.

Patients throughout Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, and the surrounding Heartland choose Kansas City Proton Institute because we offer:

• Advanced proton therapy technology
• Experienced, board-certified radiation oncologists
• Personalized treatment planning
• Compassionate, patient-centered care
• Collaboration with referring physicians
• Convenient access in Overland Park, Kansas, as part of Kansas City Urology Care (KCUC)

Whether you live in the Kansas City metro or are traveling from a neighboring state, our team is committed to making your experience as comfortable and supportive as possible.

Schedule Your Consultation With KCPI

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and would like to learn whether proton therapy may be right for you, we’re here to help.

The team at Kansas City Proton Institute is committed to providing advanced, compassionate cancer care with treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

Contact Kansas City Proton Institute today to schedule a consultation and learn whether proton therapy may be right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions Proton Therapy With KCPI