Proton International London is proud to share that UCLH has welcomed its 1,000th NHS patient to the proton beam therapy department at University College Hospital in London, which opened in December 2021.
Three-year-old Seren, from Bournemouth, Dorset, was treated by UCLH’s team of oncologists, radiographers and healthcare professionals. She was diagnosed with a type of brain cancer called an ependymoma in July this year. The brain tumour, located at the back of Seren’s head, was operable, and on 8 July she underwent surgery in Southampton.
Surgery confirmed that the tumour was cancerous, and Seren was referred to UCLH for proton beam therapy to eradicate any remaining cancer cells and reduce the chance of the tumour returning.
Seren was discharged from University Hospital Southampton in mid-August following weeks of physiotherapy and support to aid her recovery. At the end of August, she and her family travelled to London for six weeks of proton beam therapy at University College Hospital, under the care of Consultant Oncologist Dr Jenny Gains.
Proton beam therapy is an advanced form of radiotherapy used to treat a growing range of cancers. Unlike conventional radiotherapy, it delivers a more precise dose to the tumour, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. PBT can lower the risk of side effects and, in turn, improve quality of life. It is particularly beneficial for treating children, whose bodies are still developing, and adults whose vital organs may be at risk from long-term radiation side effects.
Read more about how proton beam therapy works
Laura Allington, Operational Lead for Proton Beam Therapy at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“It is wonderful to meet this milestone of treating 1,000 NHS patients in our PBT department, and great to mark this achievement with Seren and her family. We are immensely proud of what we have achieved since we first opened our doors in December 2021.”
Seren’s parents have confirmed that she is continuing to recover and is looking forward to starting school next year.
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Seren was referred for proton beam therapy by NHS England, which commissions PBT for certain patients who fulfil the clinical criteria.
Proton beam therapy is also available to private patients at Proton International London‘s treatment centre within UCLH. We work closely with UCLH’s expert clinical teams to provide expert, seamless care.
To ask us a question about PBT, how to request a referral for private treatment, and the funding options available, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Read more about our treatment for childhood cancers
Image courtesy of UCLH.
