Texas Oncology and Baylor Health Enterprises have selected Irving-Las Colinas as the home for a $105 million proton therapy facility in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Representatives expect construction to begin on the 50,000-square-foot proton therapy facility in 2013, and they anticipate the first patients will be treated in late 2015. Final economic incentives are pending approvals later this month by Irving City Council and Dallas County Utility and Reclamation District.

The facility will provide services through Texas Oncology and will give options in cancer treatment, including the opportunity to participate in clinical trials through US Oncology Research.

The facility will include a proton cyclotron, two isocentric-gantry treatment rooms, a fixed-beam treatment room and image guidance technology. Once completed, it is estimated the proton therapy center will employ about 50 healthcare professionals.

For more about proton therapy, read "Proton therapy profits pivot on prostate cancer," and "KLAS: Providers hesitant to jump on proton therapy bandwagon."