Am I suitable for proton beam therapy?

How do I find out if I’m suitable for proton beam therapy?

Suitability for proton beam therapy is assessed on a patient-by-patient basis. Your oncologist, supported by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists and histopathologists, will consider your suitability for a wide range of treatments, including traditional radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery, before presenting you with their recommendations.

If your oncologist believes proton beam therapy could be beneficial, you may be referred for treatment. Proton beam therapy is delivered using specialised equipment that is not available in all hospitals. It is currently available at two NHS treatment centres in the UK: The Christie Hospital in Manchester and University College Hospital in London.

Proton International London offers private treatment at our centre within UCLH. If you would like to make a referral, ask us a question or would appreciate a second opinion, please get in touch.

Cancers that are commonly treated with proton beam therapy (PBT)

Proton beam therapy is used to treat cancer where its precision and normal tissue sparing is clinically necessary. Whether you are suitable for PBT depends very much on your individual circumstances, including the type of cancer you have been diagnosed with.

Here are the cancers most commonly considered for proton therapy:

Cancer in children

Proton beam therapy is often considered a suitable treatment option for children with cancer. Because their developing tissues are more sensitive to radiation damage, reducing radiation exposure is particularly important to avoid long-term side effects.

Read more about proton beam therapy for paediatric cancer

Brain and spinal tumours

Tumours of the brain, spinal cord and bones of the spine are located close to vital organs and neurological structures. Proton beam therapy allows radiation to be precisely targeted at cancer cells while helping to protect the spinal cord and surrounding healthy tissue.

Read more about proton beam therapy for brain cancer and spine cancer

Head and neck cancers

Cancers affecting the head and neck areas can sometimes benefit from proton beam therapy due to the sensitivity of the treatment area. Reducing radiation exposure can help protect vital functions like speech, swallowing and vision, to help maintain quality of life.

Read more about proton beam therapy for head and neck cancers

Breast cancer

Some cases of breast cancer, particularly left-sided or more extensive tumours, can benefit from proton beam therapy to help reduce the radiation dose to the heart and lungs, potentially lowering long-term risks such as heart disease.

Read more about proton beam therapy for breast cancer

Lung and thoracic cancers

Proton beam therapy may be considered for certain thoracic cancers, including lung cancer, mesothelioma and thymoma. It can be particularly valuable when tumours are close to healthy lung tissue or the heart.

Read more about proton beam therapy for lung cancer

Gastrointestinal cancers

Proton beam therapy is considered suitable for some gastrointestinal cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, intra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and oesophageal cancer. Where appropriate, it can help protect the bowel, stomach, heart and lungs, while still delivering an effective dose of radiation to the tumour.

Read more about proton beam therapy for gastrointestinal cancers

Prostate cancer

In some prostate cancer cases, proton beam therapy allows radiation to be delivered precisely to the tumour while limiting exposure to surrounding organs. This can help to preserve bowel and bladder function.

Read more about proton beam therapy for prostate cancer

Sarcomas

Both soft tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma, including Ewing’s sarcoma, may be suitable for proton beam therapy depending on tumour location and risk profile. It can help protect bones, vital organs, and healthy normal tissue.

Read more about proton beam therapy for sarcomas

Patient story

This particular patient’s story is a good example of when proton beam therapy was the most appropriate course of treatment.

After being diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in his nasal cavity and facing the prospect of extensive facial surgery, Anthony chose proton beam therapy at Proton International London. This highly targeted treatment allowed clinicians to focus radiation precisely on the tumour while protecting nearby critical structures such as the eyes and brain, helping him avoid disfiguring surgery and maintain quality of life through his cancer journey.

Read more here

When is proton beam therapy considered?

Proton beam therapy is considered in cases where it offers advantages over standard radiation treatment. The decision to use proton therapy is always evidence-based and guided by experienced radiation oncologists.

Here are some typical examples of where PBT may be considered:

1. Tumours close to vital organs

PBT can be useful when a tumour is located near sensitive structures such as the brain, spinal cord, eyes, heart, or lungs. Because protons deposit most of their energy directly in the tumour and very little beyond it, treatment can be planned to better protect nearby healthy tissue.

2. Cases where treatment precision is critical

Some tumours require extremely precise targeting due to their size, shape, or location. Advanced proton techniques, such as pencil beam scanning, allow clinicians to shape the radiation dose closely around the tumour while minimising exposure to surrounding areas.

3. When higher radiation doses are needed

In some cancers, delivering a higher dose of radiotherapy improves tumour control. Proton beam therapy may allow higher doses to be delivered safely by minimising radiation to nearby organs and normal tissues.

4. Reducing side effects and supporting quality of life

By limiting radiation exposure to healthy tissue, some patients may experience fewer side effects during or after treatment. While experiences vary, this reduced exposure may also help to support day-to-day wellbeing and quality of life. For example, it can help preserve vital functions such as speech and swallowing in head and neck cancer patients.

5. Children, young adults, and long-term risk considerations

Children and young adults are sometimes treated with proton beam therapy due to their developing organs being more vulnerable to radiation damage. Reducing unnecessary radiation is particularly important to minimise the potential of long-term effects, such as impacts on growth, cognition, or the risk of secondary cancers later in life.

Contact us to enquire about private proton beam therapy

Proton beam therapy can be an effective treatment for certain cancers, but it is not suitable for everyone. To find out whether it may be right for you, first discuss it with your oncologist. If your care team agrees it is a suitable option, you can start a referral for private treatment at Proton International London.

We welcome patients from both the UK and internationally at our private treatment centre within UCLH. Our patient care team is here to answer your questions and assist with arrangements for staying in London. Our team of clinical oncologists are highly experienced in their respective fields, and many are actively involved in clinical trials.

Find out more about Proton International London here, or visit our journal for insights on advanced treatment options.

Frequently asked questions – Is proton beam therapy the right treatment for your cancer?

What if my cancer is high-risk or complex?

Cancers may be considered ‘high risk’ or complex for a number of reasons, including their location near vital organs, recurrence after previous treatment, aggressive or fast-growing behaviour, rare tumour types including childhood cancers, or the need to treat multiple areas.

Proton beam therapy may be considered in some high-risk cases, particularly where the tumour’s location near critical organs means reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue is a priority. Suitability is always assessed on an individual basis by a specialist team.

Can I use proton therapy alongside other treatments?

Proton beam therapy is often part of a broader treatment plan, and can be used alongside surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and hormone therapy. Your oncology team will advise on the most appropriate combination.

Are there side effects associated with proton beam therapy?

Proton beam therapy is painless, similar to other forms of radiotherapy, but may still cause side effects. Proton beam therapy may result in fewer side effects compared with conventional radiotherapy and is well tolerated by most patients. Most side effects, such as fatigue and skin irritation, are usually mild and get better a few weeks after treatment has finished.

Read more about the potential side effects here – what to expect when having proton beam therapy

Do you treat metastatic (advanced) cancer with proton beam therapy?

Proton beam therapy is typically used to treat localised tumours that have not spread around the body, and is not usually recommended for widespread metastatic cancer. However, radiotherapy may still play a role in managing symptoms in some cases.