Under the letter of intent, Northwest Hospital will house the new facility on its 33-acre, north Seattle campus and will become an equity partner in the project. The new center, featuring a proton-beam therapy system from Hitachi America, will be the first of its kind in the region and one of seven currently operating or under development in the US. When completed, the center is expected to draw patients from throughout the Pacific Northwest and West Coast.
Proton-beam therapy is said to deliver precisely targeted doses of radiation to tumors, destroying cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Bill Schneider, CEO of Northwest Hospital, said: “We are excited to partner with a world-class organization like SCCA to build this facility and to enhance our cancer programs by offering access to this breakthrough treatment.”