Title: The Role of Proton Therapy in Cancer Care

Presenter: R. Charles (Chip) Nichols, Jr., MD

CEC: 1 Clinical Medicine (CM)

Session Description: Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy that uses protons rather than traditional X-rays. It targets tumors and cancer cells more precisely. This means less damage to surrounding tissue which results in a lower risk of side effects and a better quality of life during and after cancer treatment. This session will cover how proton therapy is different from conventional radiation therapy and what types of cancer respond most effectively to proton therapy. Our presenter will discuss how the physical properties of protons may improve outcomes in patients with multiple different types of cancer diagnoses and also discuss recent clinical study outcomes in proton therapy for cancer.

About the Speaker: Dr. Nichols is an associate professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. He is the author or coauthor of more than 30 peer-reviewed publications. His work has appeared in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, and Acta Oncologica. A University of Florida Department of Radiation Oncology faculty member since 2008, he serves as the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) Principal Investigator for both the Jacksonville and Gainesville campuses. Dr. Nichols specializes in treating cancers of the prostate, lung, and pancreas.