Cancers we treat

Cancers we treat with proton beam therapy

Brain and neurological cancers

Treating brain or central nervous system tumours requires great care to protect your memory and cognitive function. Proton beam therapy helps reduce radiation to healthy brain tissue, the brain stem, and the spinal cord, minimising the long-term side effects that can affect thinking, mood, or coordination. This can help smooth your recovery by preserving what makes you, you.

Read more here

Head and neck cancers

The head and neck contain many delicate structures that perform everyday functions we sometimes take for granted, like swallowing, speaking and producing saliva. Proton beam therapy’s precision helps protect these areas, reducing the chance of side effects. This can make a big difference to your comfort and wellbeing during and after treatment, and help you feel more like yourself as you recover.

Read more here

Skull base tumours

Skull base tumours develop close to vital structures such as the brain stem, spinal cord, and healthy brain tissue. Proton beam therapy allows us to deliver the high doses of radiation needed to treat these tumours with exceptional precision, while helping to protect the surrounding areas. This can reduce the risk of long-term side effects, such as cognitive changes and nerve damage, preserving your quality of life as much as possible. 

Read more here

Breast cancer

The heart and lungs are located close to breast tissue, which sometimes makes them vulnerable during traditional radiotherapy for breast cancer. Proton beam therapy reduces radiation exposure to these vital organs. This can lower the risk of long-term complications like heart disease or secondary cancers and give you greater peace of mind so you can focus on recovery.

Read more here

Lung cancer

Lung tumours often sit close to the heart and healthy parts of the lungs. Proton therapy can help protect these areas by limiting the amount of radiation they receive. This may reduce short-term side effects such as inflammation (pneumonitis) and lower the risk of long-term damage, including heart disease. With potentially fewer complications, you can approach your treatment with more confidence.

Read more here

Spinal tumours and sarcomas

When tumours develop in or near the spine, they can press against or involve the nerves that control movement in your arms and legs. Proton beam therapy is especially effective in these cases because it can target the tumour directly while reducing exposure to your spinal cord and surrounding nerves. This can lower the risk of nerve-related side effects and help you maintain your mobility and independence.

Read more here

Prostate cancer

Proton beam therapy offers men with prostate cancer a highly targeted treatment that reduces radiation exposure to nearby organs such as the bladder and rectum. This can help lower the risk of side effects like erectile dysfunction, urinary urgency, and bowel issues, so that you can continue your daily life with confidence.

Read more here

Childhood cancers

Proton therapy is particularly beneficial for children because their bodies are still growing and more sensitive to radiation. Its precision allows us to treat the cancer while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible. This helps give your child the best chance of a healthy future by reducing the risk of long-term effects such as growth problems, learning difficulties, and secondary cancers.

Read more here

For information about other private cancer treatments for teenagers and young people at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, please click here.