Huntsman Cancer Institute Expands Proton Therapy Capacity with Second MEVION S250i System
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah, one of the nation’s premier centers for cancer research and treatment, is set to take a significant step forward in expanding access to advanced cancer care in the Mountain West region. Mevion Medical Systems, a global leader in compact proton therapy solutions, announced that Huntsman has signed a contract for its second MEVION S250i Proton Therapy System, strengthening its position as the only proton therapy provider in the five-state region encompassing Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming.
The expansion represents more than just a technical upgrade; it marks a commitment to bringing cutting-edge, life-changing cancer treatment closer to patients who might otherwise face the burden of traveling hundreds of miles for care.
A Vital Resource for the Mountain West
Since opening the Senator Orrin G. Hatch Center for Proton Therapy in 2021, Huntsman Cancer Institute has played a crucial role in delivering highly specialized proton therapy treatment to patients across the Mountain West. For many families, the center is not just a medical facility but a lifeline — a place where advanced care meets compassionate support, eliminating the need for long journeys to distant proton therapy centers in Phoenix, Seattle, or San Diego.
The demand for such treatments has grown rapidly. Nearly one-third of Huntsman’s proton therapy patients are children, highlighting the importance of pediatric oncology access in this region. Pediatric patients are among those who benefit most from proton therapy due to its ability to minimize radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, reducing long-term side effects and improving quality of life.
By committing to a second MEVION S250i system, Huntsman is doubling its treatment capacity, ensuring more patients — both adults and children — can receive timely, advanced care without leaving their communities.
Proton Therapy: Precision Treatment with Broad Impact
Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment that delivers precise doses of radiation to tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs. This precision is particularly critical in cases such as pediatric cancers, head and neck tumors, and breast cancers, where the risks of collateral damage are significant with conventional radiation therapy.
Huntsman Cancer Institute’s adoption of the MEVION S250i system has already positioned it at the forefront of this growing field. The decision to add a second system underscores the Institute’s recognition of proton therapy’s transformative potential in treating a wide variety of cancers while improving patient outcomes.
The technology plays an especially vital role in pediatric care. Children’s developing bodies are more vulnerable to radiation damage, which can lead to long-term growth, developmental, and cognitive challenges. Proton therapy’s targeted approach dramatically reduces these risks, allowing young patients not just to survive but to thrive after treatment.
The Latest-Generation MEVION S250i System
The new installation will feature the latest-generation MEVION S250i, equipped with HYPERSCAN Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) and Adaptive Aperture pMLC technology. These capabilities allow clinicians to deliver highly conformal dose distributions with millimeter precision, even for the most complex and irregularly shaped tumors.
The Adaptive Aperture pMLC, in particular, enhances the sharpness of beam edges, further protecting healthy tissue and improving clinical outcomes. This level of precision makes the system suitable for treating a wide variety of tumors, from deep-seated cancers to small, delicate targets in sensitive areas of the body.
Huntsman will also upgrade its existing MEVION S250i to the current specifications, ensuring clinical and operational parity across both treatment rooms. With both systems aligned to the same advanced technology level, patients will benefit from consistent treatment quality regardless of which room they are assigned to.
Expanding Capacity, Improving Access
The addition of the second system is expected to double Huntsman’s treatment capacity, allowing more patients to begin therapy without delays. Proton therapy sessions are highly individualized and time-intensive, and the availability of a second fully capable treatment room ensures that scheduling bottlenecks are minimized.
For patients and families across the Mountain West, this translates into shorter wait times and greater access to lifesaving care. It also means that physicians can refer more patients for proton therapy when clinically appropriate, confident that treatment will be accessible in a timely manner.
The expansion aligns with Huntsman’s broader mission to advance cancer treatment while reducing the barriers of distance and access that so many patients in rural and underserved areas face.
The 1+1 Model: A Sustainable Path for Proton Therapy Growth
In announcing the expansion, Mevion Medical Systems highlighted the success of its “1+1 model” — a staged approach in which cancer centers start with a single MEVION system and later expand to two fully capable rooms as demand grows.
Dr. Tina Yu, CEO of Mevion Medical Systems, emphasized the practicality and long-term benefits of this approach:
More and more cancer centers are adopting our 1+1 model — starting with a single system and expanding to two fully capable rooms. This is the most pragmatic and cost-effective approach to proton therapy. The benefits are clear: more patients treated with better economics, 100% uptime, expanded research opportunities, staged upgrades, and the ability to remain at the latest technology level without ever shutting down the center. Huntsman’s decision reinforces this model as the path forward for sustainable proton therapy growth.
The staged growth strategy enables institutions to expand thoughtfully, making the most of existing infrastructure and resources. It avoids the significant capital and operational challenges of building a large multi-room proton therapy facility from the start, while still providing a clear roadmap for future capacity expansion.
Beyond Treatment: Research and Innovation Opportunities
With the installation of a second MEVION S250i, Huntsman Cancer Institute will also strengthen its position as a research leader in proton therapy. Increased capacity opens the door for more clinical trials and studies exploring new applications of proton therapy, optimal treatment protocols, and combined-modality treatments.
Proton therapy remains a relatively young field compared to traditional radiation therapy, and ongoing research is essential for expanding its applications and refining its benefits. Huntsman’s expansion not only benefits current patients but also contributes to the future of cancer treatment on a global scale.
A Patient-Centered Vision for the Future
For patients and families, the significance of Huntsman’s expansion is deeply personal. Whether it is a child with a brain tumor, an adult with a head and neck cancer, or a woman undergoing treatment for breast cancer, the availability of proton therapy close to home means less travel, less disruption, and more support during the most challenging times of their lives.
The second MEVION S250i system represents more than a technical milestone; it symbolizes a commitment to equity in cancer care, ensuring that advanced therapies are not limited to those living near large metropolitan centers. It is a reflection of Huntsman Cancer Institute’s vision to provide world-class cancer treatment to every patient in the Mountain West region.
