Private proton beam therapy to treat head and neck cancer
At Proton International London, we offer the UK’s only private proton beam therapy service for head and neck cancers. This advanced treatment targets cancer cells while protecting healthy tissues and organs that support vital functions like speech and swallowing.
Who we are
At Proton International London we deliver the most effective and precise treatment to our head and neck cancer patients at our specialist proton beam therapy treatment centre at UCLH.
Learn moreWhat is proton beam therapy?
An advanced form of radiation therapy with sub-millimetre accuracy on targeting tumors while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Learn moreMeet our head and neck cancer specialists
Our treatment is provided by globally recognised consultant oncologists in the treatment of head and neck cancer.
Learn moreHere to help you
Our friendly team are here to answer any questions you may have about our treatment for head and neck cancers.
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The benefits of proton beam therapy for treating head and neck cancers
If you are facing treatment for head and neck cancer, you may have questions and concerns about how your treatment will affect your day-to-day life. While all types of radiotherapy have potential side-effects, proton beam therapy protects critical tissues and organs such as the mouth, throat, salivary glands, eyes, optic nerves and brain stem. This helps minimise the risk of side effects that can affect essential functions such as speech, swallowing, sight and breathing.
An advanced form of radiotherapy, proton beam therapy (PBT) uses high-energy protons to destroy cancer cells. Unlike standard X-ray (photon) radiotherapy, proton therapy can stop precisely at the tumour, with no ‘exit dose’ beyond it. This results in:
- A lower risk of acute (short-term) side effects, such as inflammation or swallowing problems.
- The reduced likelihood of long-term complications, which can significantly affect daily life.
- The potential to deliver higher radiation doses, which studies suggest may improve the effectiveness of the treatment (but only when clinically appropriate).
Read more about how proton beam therapy works.
Who we are
Proton International London offers highly targeted, advanced treatment for people with head and neck cancers. We are based at University College London Hospital (UCLH), one of the UK’s leading hospitals. Here, private patients can receive proton beam therapy, delivered by a skilled team of oncologists, radiographers, physicists and nurses, who work closely with UCLH’s expert clinical teams.
Find out more about Proton International London.
The head and neck cancers we treat
Proton beam therapy is particularly well suited to head and neck cancers because it delivers highly targeted radiation with exceptional precision, helping to reduce exposure to the delicate structures that support speech, swallowing, vision and neurological function.
At Proton International London, we currently treat:
- Cancers of the nasal sinuses (sino-nasal and nasal cavity cancers)
- Some salivary gland tumours, including those of the parotid, submandibular and minor salivary glands
We hope to expand our treatment programme soon to include additional head and neck cancers, such as:
- Nasopharyngeal cancer
- Oropharyngeal cancer (throat, tongue and tonsil)
- Complex skin cancers of the face, neck or scalp, including those involving nearby lymph nodes
- Soft tissue and bone sarcomas of the head and neck
If you have been diagnosed with any of these forms of cancer and would like more advice on your treatment options, our oncology team can offer a private second-opinion consultation.
Make an enquiry about proton beam therapy
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a head or neck cancer and would like to explore private proton beam therapy as a treatment option, please get in touch. We’re here to answer your questions and help you make an informed decision with confidence.