Cleveland Clinic Florida Expands Cancer Center in West Palm Beach

Cleveland Clinic's Florida region has announced a $180 million expansion of its cancer treatment facilities in West Palm Beach, a project that will add 120,000 square feet of clinical space and bring several cutting-edge treatment modalities to Palm Beach County for the first time.

The expansion, expected to be completed by early 2027, will include a proton therapy center, an expanded immunotherapy infusion suite, a dedicated clinical trials unit, and a comprehensive survivorship program. The project is the largest single capital investment in cancer care in the county's history.

Proton Therapy Comes to Palm Beach

The most anticipated addition is a proton beam therapy system, which uses precisely targeted proton beams to destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Currently, the nearest proton therapy centers for Palm Beach residents are in Jacksonville and Miami, requiring significant travel for daily treatments that can last several weeks.

"Having proton therapy locally means patients can sleep in their own beds and maintain their normal routines during treatment," said Dr. Robert Keller, chair of radiation oncology at Cleveland Clinic Florida. "That's not just a convenience; it genuinely affects treatment outcomes and quality of life."

Clinical Trials Access

The dedicated clinical trials unit will significantly expand access to experimental treatments for local patients. Cleveland Clinic's national network provides access to hundreds of active oncology trials, but physical infrastructure limitations have previously restricted local participation.

The expansion is expected to create approximately 350 new jobs, including positions for oncologists, radiation therapists, nurses, and support staff.