If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, no doubt you are considering your treatment options. These might include surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and radiotherapy. It’s important to consider not only how each therapy will help control the cancer, but also its potential side effects and impact on your lifestyle during and after treatment.
If you have been recommended standard radiotherapy for prostate cancer, it may be worth exploring proton beam therapy (PBT). This advanced type of radiation treatment spares healthy, normal tissue from radiation, minimising the chance of side effects like erectile dysfunction. While it’s not widely available in the UK, your consultant oncologist may refer you for treatment at our private, state-of-the-art proton beam therapy centre in London.
In this article, we’ll explain how proton therapy treatment for prostate cancer works, what the benefits are, what it entails and how to go about requesting it on a private basis.
For more advice or to get a second opinion on your diagnosis, please get in touch with the helpful team at Proton International London today.
What is proton beam therapy for prostate cancer?
Proton beam therapy (PBT), sometimes referred to as pencil beam scanning therapy, is an advanced form of cancer treatment. Like standard radiation therapy, it is a highly effective treatment for localised prostate cancer, but with one important difference: precision.
Conventional radiotherapy uses high-energy X-rays, which kill cancer cells and then exit the body, exposing surrounding healthy tissues to radiation.
Proton therapy, on the other hand, delivers a precise, high dose to the tumour site – where it stops – minimising exposure to healthy cells and vital organs like the bladder, colon and rectum.
Read more about how proton beam therapy works here.
Key benefits of proton beam therapy for prostate cancer
Proton beam therapy offers several important advantages for men with prostate cancer. Because it can deliver precise doses of radiation, you can expect:
- Fewer urinary and bowel side effects, such as incontinence or irritation
- A lower risk of erectile dysfunction, helping to preserve sexual function
- A quicker return to normal routines, with less disruption to daily life
- A lower risk of secondary cancers developing later in life, due to minimal radiation exposure beyond the treatment area
In short, PBT has been proven to have fewer side effects, giving you the chance of a better quality of life now and in the future.
Where can I get prostate proton beam therapy in the UK?
At present, proton beam therapy for prostate cancer is not available through the NHS. It is offered to private patients at Proton International London. If you would like to enquire about private proton beam therapy, speak to your consultant oncologist in the first instance. They can advise on whether it is suitable for you, and if so, refer you for private treatment.
Why consider private proton beam therapy in the UK
When you choose proton beam therapy in the UK, you have access to world-class cancer care within one of the most advanced radiotherapy networks in Europe.
Proton International London treats cancer patients at our private PBT centre within University College London Hospitals (UCLH) NHS Foundation Trust, one of the UK’s leading academic and clinical centres.
At our centre in University College Hospital, our multidisciplinary clinical team, made up of consultant oncologists, clinical oncologists, physicists, and radiographers, offers the highest quality care. You can expect full support from our experienced patient care team, who will do everything they can to ensure you remain confident and comfortable during your treatment.
The team’s close collaboration and clinical expertise ensure that every treatment plan is tailored to the individual, combining cutting-edge technology with impeccable standards of care and safety.
Step-by-step guide to proton beam therapy for the prostate
1. Before treatment
The first step is to talk to your consultant oncologist to assess your suitability for proton beam therapy. Then it’s a case of referring yourself for private treatment at our London centre.
You will have an initial consultation with one of our esteemed consultant oncologists, who specialise in proton beam therapy treatment for urological cancers. During this appointment, they will review your medical history, diagnosis, and previous investigations to confirm whether proton beam therapy is suitable for you. They will explain how treatment works and discuss any potential side effects to help you make an informed decision.
2. Preparing for treatment
Our multidisciplinary team, in partnership with UCLH, includes radiographers, dosimetrists, radiotherapy physicists and radiation oncologists. They will work together to design a treatment plan based on your health, diagnostic scans, and previous treatments.
During this stage, you will visit our private facility in London for key appointments, including:
- Imaging scans: CT or MRI scans may be carried out to map the exact size, shape and location of the tumour. These help us deliver treatment with maximum precision while minimising radiation to nearby organs.
- Treatment setup and simulation: Your team will find the optimal position in which to place you to allow them to accurately aim the proton beam. They will then perform a treatment simulation in preparation for the real thing.
3. During treatment
You will receive proton beam therapy for prostate cancer on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home after each session. Treatment sessions typically run for four to six weeks and are short, non-invasive and painless.
While PBT is a well-tolerated treatment option, you may experience mild fatigue afterwards. For this reason, we recommend arranging transport rather than driving yourself. If you are travelling from overseas or further within the UK, we can offer a concierge service to take care of travel and accommodation arrangements.
Read more about what to expect when receiving proton beam therapy
4. After treatment
You will receive the highest standard of care and support throughout your recovery. Your care team will continue to monitor your recovery long after treatment ends. They will provide advice, answer your questions, help you manage any side effects, and keep your referring consultant and GP informed of your progress.
Enquire about proton beam therapy for prostate cancer today
Proton International London is a trusted choice for prostate cancer patients from the UK and around the world. We are committed to helping people understand the benefits of proton beam therapy for a range of cancers in adults and children. Our experienced team is here to guide and support you throughout every stage of your treatment journey.
We warmly welcome international patients, and can assist with travel and accommodation arrangements, including flights, visa support, and interpreter services. Our patient services team can also liaise with your medical insurer or sponsoring organisation to ensure your care and payment are managed smoothly.
If you would like to discuss your suitability for treatment, please do not hesitate to contact our team to arrange a consultation or to request a second opinion.
