Dealing with a childhood cancer diagnosis is tough and overwhelming. When it comes to deciding on a treatment plan, naturally, your immediate concern may be how effective it is in treating the cancer.
But you may also be wondering how the treatment will affect your child both now and in the future. With this in mind, many consider proton beam therapy the preferred form of radiotherapy for children.
Proton beam therapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment that has been developed to minimise both short and long-term effects. It delivers a highly targeted radiation dose to the target region while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. This is particularly beneficial in protecting the normal growth and development of children and young adults.
At Proton International London, we provide private proton beam therapy for childhood cancers from our clinic in University College Hospital London (UCLH).
Our proton beam therapy centre is the only private facility of its kind in the UK. Families travel to us from around the world for our care, assured that their child will receive expert treatment supported by a team that understands both their clinical and emotional journey.
To ask us a question about proton beam therapy for children and young adults, please call us on 020 4629 3598. You can also request a private second opinion, or if you are ready, start the referral process with support from your child’s doctor.
How proton beam therapy helps reduce the risk of side effects
Conventional radiotherapy uses high-energy X-rays (photon radiation) to treat cancer. While photon radiotherapy is highly effective at killing cancer cells, it causes what is known as an ‘exit dose’. The x-rays deliver the dose to the tumour, then they carry on through the body and exit the other side. This unnecessary dose exposes sensitive organs and healthy cells to potentially harmful radiation.
For children and young people, this can increase the risk of side effects. Some of these side effects can be present long-term and last the rest of the patient’s life. For example, radiation, though regularly used to treat and cure cancers, can very rarely cause cancers in healthy tissue; especially at risk for this are young, developing children.
Proton beam therapy works differently. High-energy proton beams are precisely targeted and release most of their energy at the tumour or target site, and then, they stop. Beyond this point, the proton radiation stops and there is limited to no exposure; as such, there is no exit dose. Proton beam therapy, therefore, can much more effectively spare critical organs like the brain, heart, lungs, breasts, bowels, and reproductive organs from radiation.
For cancers affecting almost any disease site or organ, as well as those affecting the central nervous system, brain tumours, bone sarcomas, soft tissue sarcomas, Ewing sarcoma, and eye tumours, this is especially important. Due to the precision, very high doses are made safely possible, which can improve the outcome of the treatment and improve cure rates.
For most paediatric cancers, proton beam therapy is clearly established as the preferred standard of care for curative treatment. Proton beam therapy enhances recovery from cancer and treatment, but this modality also optimally protects growth and development. The reduction or prevention of long-term side effects can substantially improve the quality of life, for both your child and your family.
Are there side effects to treating childhood cancers with proton therapy?
All forms of radiation therapy carry a risk of side effects. However, because proton beam therapy minimises exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, the side effects are usually milder and less frequent.
Short-term side effects may include:
- Temporary tiredness or fatigue.
- Skin redness, dryness, or itchiness in the treatment area.
- Localised swelling, tenderness, or hair loss, depending on where the treatment is directed.
Long-term side effects:
These are less common but can occur if developing tissues are affected:
- Changes in growth or development in the treated area.
- Learning or memory difficulties if the brain is treated .
- Hormone changes if radiation affects hormone-producing glands or the brain.
- Hearing or vision changes, if the brain or eyes/ears are treated.
- A very small risk of secondary cancers developing in the future.
Your expert oncologists will carefully monitor potential side effects, and your care team will provide advice on alleviating any symptoms.
What to expect during your child’s treatment at Proton International London
From the start, your child’s care is managed by clinical oncologists, physicists, and radiographers, supported by play specialists and child life experts. Every treatment plan is carefully designed by a consultant-led oncology team.
Before treatment
- If you are travelling to London from outside of the UK, we can arrange transport and provide other practical support through our concierge service.
- After meeting for an initial consultation with your clinical care team, your child will have detailed scans (CT or MRI) to precisely map the tumour. These are known as pre-treatment Simulation scans.
- Our expert team, including oncologists, physicists, and radiographers, will then design a tailored treatment plan and take you through it in detail.
- To ensure accuracy during treatment, gentle immobilisation may be necessary in the form of a plastic mask or pillow support. This will be custom-fitted before treatment starts, at the time of Simulation.
- A Child Life Specialist will support your child emotionally, explaining each step in an age-appropriate and reassuring way.
During treatment
- Proton beam therapy is usually delivered on consecutive days, 5 days per week, over 4-6 weeks. Each session usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes, although the majority of this time is spent on preparation and positioning.
- The radiotherapy team will position your child carefully on the treatment bed and place the mask or support if needed.
- Very young children sometimes need a short general anaesthetic to stay still and relaxed during therapy.
- Because the proton beam involves radiation, you and the radiotherapy team must leave the treatment room while the machine is on. However, the team uses cameras and an intercom so they can see, hear, and talk to your child throughout.
- The proton beam is delivered by a radiotherapy machine called a gantry and is similar in appearance to an MRI or CT machine, just larger. The machine moves and rotates around to deliver the proton beam from various angles, and your child remains safely in one position on the bed, though the bed may move some. Gentle whirring and clicking may be heard, but the treatment is non-invasive and completely painless during delivery.
- After the session, there is no residual radiation nor is there a need for isolation, and most children can return home straight away.
After treatment
- The side effects of proton therapy are generally mild. Some patients experience fatigue for short periods or minor skin irritation in the treatment area. Your care team can provide advice on what to look out for and how to help ease the symptoms.
- You and your family will have regular reviews with the radiation oncologist and wider team to understand the progress of the treatment. Our team will freely offer our guidance and support, and can arrange specialist supportive care for your child and your family.
Read more about what to expect when having proton beam therapy.
Support for overseas families
If you are travelling to the UK for proton beam therapy, you are dealing with unfamiliar surroundings as well as your child’s treatment. This can be especially challenging if you are travelling with your wider family or other children. We understand this, and we can help to make practical arrangements, including:
- Travel booking, accommodation and transfers to and from the hospital.
- Support with insurance coordination and financial arrangements.
- Access to family-centred facilities and support services during your stay.
Read more about support for international patients
UK access to proton beam therapy for children
Proton International London is a state-of-the-art, private proton centre at University College London Hospital. We are one of only two centres in the UK that offer this treatment, and we are the only private or internationally-serving proton beam therapy unit in the country that treats paediatric cancer.
If you are considering private proton beam therapy for your child, the first step is to speak with your child’s clinical oncologist or to inquire with our team. They or we can advise on whether proton beam therapy is a suitable treatment.
If proton beam therapy is recommended by your child’s doctor, we will liaise directly with them to gather all relevant clinical information. Our team can advise you on paying for treatment and also help you plan your stay in London.
For families outside the UK, your medical team at home can provide guidance and support with international referrals, and our team will coordinate closely with them to review your child’s case and advise on the next steps. Some oncologists outside of the UK may not be aware or as cognizant of proton beam therapy, so we encourage you to inquire with your physicians or our team if you have questions.
Our commitment to children’s care
At Proton International London, our care is led by expert consultant oncologists, and we are dedicated to advancing proton beam therapy. Our PBT centre is home to the latest pencil beam scanning proton therapy technology, supported by a highly experienced team who ensure that every child receives a high-quality treatment within a calm and supportive environment.
Our care goes beyond the clinical. Your dedicated care team will be there every step of the way to provide emotional support and clear guidance. Alongside the treatment itself, we can provide practical support with accommodation and hospital transport, so you can focus on your child and family, rather than logistics.
Talk to us about proton therapy for your child today
If you have a question about proton beam therapy, please do not hesitate to call us on 020 4629 3598. If you have consulted your child’s doctor and are ready to start the referral process, please fill out our enquiry form and we will get back to you without delay.
Frequently asked questions – why choose proton beam therapy for paediatric cancer treatment
Is proton therapy safe for young children?
Proton beam therapy is backed by many clinical trials and considered the safest form of radiotherapy for young patients. Read more about clinical trials.
Can my child go to school during treatment?
Proton therapy is, generally, an outpatient procedure, so in most cases, your child can keep up with their studies during treatment. It is safe for them to spend time with family, friends, and classmates. There is no residual radioactivity after a treatment session.
Does every child benefit from proton beam therapy?
Not all children with cancer require proton therapy. How suitable it is depends on the type, size, and location of the tumour. Our clinical oncologists will review your child’s case carefully to confirm whether this is the most appropriate treatment or an important part of an overall treatment plan.
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