For the first time in Connecticut, patients will have access to proton therapy, the most advanced form of radiation treatment available today, through an unprecedented collaboration between Hartford HealthCare and Yale New Haven Health.
This partnership represents the first time these two leading health systems have come together to create a shared, statewide destination for advanced cancer care. By combining clinical excellence, academic leadership, and a shared commitment to innovation, this collaboration brings world-class proton therapy to Connecticut and the surrounding region. Located at 932 Northrop Road in Wallingford, the center will begin treating patients in late 2026.
About Proton Therapy: Precision radiation with advanced protection of healthy tissue.
Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment that uses protons—positively charged particles—to target cancer with exceptional precision. Unlike traditional X-ray radiation, which continues beyond the tumor and exposes healthy tissue, proton therapy delivers most of its energy directly to the tumor and then stops. This unique property helps protect nearby organs and critical structures while delivering an effective therapeutic dose.
With advanced imaging and treatment planning, proton therapy can be shaped to the exact size, shape, and depth of a tumor. This accuracy is especially important for tumors near sensitive areas such as the brain, spine, heart, eyes, and other vital organs. Patients often experience fewer side effects and improved quality of life, with short treatment sessions that allow many to continue daily activities during care.
What we treat: Advanced care for a broad range of cancers.
Proton therapy is used to treat many solid tumors, particularly when precision is critical or when minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissue is a priority.
Cancers treated with proton therapy include:
- Brain and central nervous system tumors
- Head and neck cancers
- Eye and orbital tumors
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Spine and spinal cord tumors
- Sarcomas
- Lymphomas
A leading option for pediatric patients
Children are especially sensitive to the long-term effects of radiation because their bodies and organs are still developing. Proton therapy allows clinicians to reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissue while delivering curative doses to cancer, helping lower the risk of growth disruption, hormonal effects, cognitive changes, and secondary cancers later in life.
Proton therapy has been safely used in children of all ages and is often considered a preferred option in pediatric cancer care when radiation is indicated.
We’re setting a new standard for cancer care
As Connecticut’s first proton therapy center, this program represents a major advancement in cancer care for the state. It reflects a shared vision between Hartford HealthCare and Yale New Haven Health to expand access to innovative, high-quality treatment through collaboration.
With patients expected to begin treatment in late 2026, this center establishes a new standard for advanced radiation therapy in Connecticut, ensuring that patients and families have access to leading-edge care without leaving the region.
This is more than a new facility. It is the future of collaborative cancer care in Connecticut.