Why are there so few proton therapy centers if the treatment is so good?
As of summer 2005 there are 23 clinical proton radiotherapy facilities worldwide. Nine new facilities are proposed over the next four years. The upfront cost, around $100M, as well as the operational costs are the primary reason why there are so few proton facilities. In the US reimbursement rates from insurance providers is only slightly higher than conventional radiation therapy making it difficult for centers to recover their investment.
