Private proton beam therapy to treat head and neck cancer
At Proton International London, we provide the UK’s only private proton beam therapy service for head and neck cancers. This advanced form of radiotherapy targets cancer cells while reducing the amount of radiation that reaches nearby healthy tissue. Being diagnosed with head and neck cancer can leave you with many questions. Our experienced team will take time to explain your options, answer your questions and help you understand whether proton beam therapy could be a suitable treatment for you.
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.
Learn moreWhy is proton beam therapy used to treat certain head and neck cancers?
Head and neck cancers are often located close to sensitive parts of the body, such as the salivary glands, spinal cord, brainstem, and other tissue involved in speech, swallowing, and hearing.
Proton beam therapy (PBT), an advanced form of radiotherapy, helps to protect vital structures to reduce the chance of side effects and secondary cancer.
Proton beam therapy works by delivering high-energy protons with sub-millimetre accuracy to destroy cancer cells. The accuracy means there is little ‘exit dose’ beyond the tumour compared with conventional radiotherapy, helping to protect nearby healthy cells.
PBT isn’t appropriate for every case of head and neck cancer. Whether it is the right option for you depends on factors including the tumour’s location, size and stage, your overall health and any previous treatment you have received.
If you begin a referral to Proton International London, your individual case will be assessed by a specialist clinical oncologist and multidisciplinary team. Our support team will be on hand to answer your questions and help you every step of the way.
The benefits of proton beam therapy for treating head and neck cancers
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.
- 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 treatment effectiveness (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 Hospital in London, one of the UK’s leading hospitals and work in partnership with UCLH. 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 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
- Nasopharyngeal cancer
- Oropharyngeal cancer (throat, tongue and tonsil)
We hope to expand our treatment programme soon to include additional head and neck cancers, such as:
- 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.
What to expect with proton beam therapy treatment for head and neck cancer
If you have been diagnosed with head and neck cancer and are considering proton beam therapy, here is what the treatment journey involves:
1. Initial consultation
You will meet with an experienced clinical oncologist to discuss your diagnosis, previous investigations and treatment options. They will explain whether proton beam therapy may be suitable for your specific case and talk you through what the treatment involves, including any potential side effects.
If you are travelling for treatment from overseas, your initial consultation can take place over a video call.
This is your opportunity to ask questions, and we encourage you to bring a friend or family member along to your appointment.
2. Treatment planning
You will be invited for a CT scan, and possibly an MRI scan and/or PET scan. This is to build a detailed picture of the tumour’s size, shape and position.
Head and neck cancer patients often require a custom-made mould, sometimes called an immobilisation device or shell. This is to keep your head and neck still and in exactly the same position for every session. This is particularly important given the proximity of the tumour to structures such as the salivary glands, spinal cord and other sensitive tissue.
Your specialist team, including radiation oncologists, physicists, dosimetrists and radiographers, will use this information gathered at this stage to create your personalised treatment plan. They will calculate the precise dose of radiation, and how the proton beam will be directed and shaped to match your tumour.
This planning process typically takes around three weeks.
3. Daily treatment
Treatment is usually delivered five days a week from Monday to Friday over three to eight weeks. The exact number of sessions depends on your diagnosis and treatment plan.
Each session generally lasts around 20–40 minutes, although the proton therapy itself only takes a few minutes. The treatment is painless and does not require anaesthesia. Your immobilisation mask will be fitted at the start of each session to ensure you are consistently placed in the right position.
Find out more about what to expect when having proton beam therapy
4. During your course of treatment
Your care team will monitor you closely throughout your treatment, with regular check-ins to answer your questions, check on your wellbeing and manage any side effects if they arise.
Side effects vary between individuals and depend on the exact area being treated, but your team will talk you through what to expect and how to manage this alongside your daily sessions.
5. After treatment
Once your course of treatment is complete, you will have follow-up appointments with your oncologist to monitor your recovery and review your progress. Your team will continue to support you after treatment ends, and will liaise with your local medical team to help ensure continuity of care.
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, please get in touch. We’re here to answer your questions and help you make an informed decision with confidence.