Brazil is set to inaugurate its first proton therapy center, a cutting-edge cancer treatment technology that promises greater precision and fewer side effects than conventional radiation. The new facility, slated to begin treating patients in 2030, will be located in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, marking a significant milestone for the country’s oncology care.
A Long-Awaited Arrival
The Mário Kroeff Proton Therapy Center will be administered by the Severino Sombra Educational Foundation (FUSve) with technical partnership from the National Cancer Institute (INCA). The project has secured R$ 132.6 million in funding from FINEP, Brazil’s innovation agency.
The centerpiece of the facility is a particle accelerator manufactured by Belgian company IBA, which is expected to arrive in Brazil during the second half of 2029. After delivery, the equipment will require installation, rigorous testing, and regulatory approvals before the first patient can be treated — a process that pushes the operational start date into 2030.
Until then, Brazilian patients who need proton therapy must continue traveling abroad, a journey that 20 to 30 people make every month. A single course of treatment overseas can cost up to R$ 1.02 million, placing it out of reach for most families without private insurance or international coverage.
How Proton Therapy Works
Unlike conventional radiotherapy, which uses photons that pass through the body and deposit radiation along their entire path, proton therapy uses protons — heavy particles that can be made to stop precisely at the tumor site. This phenomenon, known as the Bragg peak, allows oncologists to concentrate the therapeutic dose on the cancer while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
Radiation oncologist Marcos Santos, who practices in Goiânia and is a former president of the Ibero-Latin American Association of Radiation Oncology (ALATRO), explained the difference to G1: “The photon goes through the body and doesn’t have a brake: it loses power along the way, but keeps going. The proton doesn’t — it reaches the tumor and stops there. This braking ability is extremely useful for the radiotherapist.”
The precision of proton therapy makes it especially valuable in several clinical scenarios:
- Children with tumors near the brain or spinal cord, whose developing tissues are highly vulnerable to radiation damage
- Patients at risk of late radiation effects, such as secondary cancers or organ dysfunction
- Tumors adjacent to sensitive organs like the heart, lungs, or optic nerves
- Cases requiring re-irradiation, where surrounding tissues have already received maximum safe doses
Pediatric Patients Are the Priority
Proton therapy will not replace conventional radiotherapy, experts emphasize. Its greatest impact is in a specific subset of cases — particularly among children, who are more susceptible to long-term consequences of radiation exposure.
“Costing twenty times more doesn’t mean it’s twenty times better. It’s in a specific patient group that the technique really makes a difference: children,”
– Santos noted.
By minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissues, proton therapy can help prevent growth impairment, hormonal disorders, cognitive difficulties, infertility, and the development of new tumors later in life. Project estimates suggest that roughly 15% of pediatric cancer patients in Brazil could be candidates for the treatment.
When operating at full capacity and focused on the right patient population, the center could treat approximately 600 children per year, according to specialists consulted for the project.
The Cost Challenge
Proton therapy’s precision comes at a steep price. The facility requires a particle accelerator, specialized shielding, and highly trained personnel. Monthly maintenance costs are projected at around US$ 1.2 million (approximately R$ 6.1 million).
“With the cost of one proton center, you could build about twenty conventional radiotherapy services,”
– Santos pointed out, underscoring the scale of the investment.
Of the center’s total capacity, at least 60% is earmarked for Brazil’s public health system (SUS). However, actual access for public patients depends on the Ministry of Health formally incorporating the technology into its coverage list — a decision that will require defining clinical criteria, referral pathways, and funding mechanisms.
What Comes Next
The road from announcement to treatment is long. Beyond completing construction and commissioning the equipment, Brazil faces the challenge of turning a substantial capital investment into real-world patient access. That will require establishing clear eligibility guidelines, training specialized teams, and building a national referral network so that children and adults who stand to benefit most can reach the center efficiently.
For now, the Mário Kroeff Proton Therapy Center represents both a promise and a responsibility — a technological leap forward that will test Brazil’s ability to translate innovation into equitable cancer care.
Source: Olhar Digital
