Private proton beam therapy treatment for children and young people with cancer

Meet the paediatric cancer specialists at Proton International London

The Proton International London Centre for Children and Young People with Cancer is led by clinical oncologists who are internationally recognised for their work in the research and treatment of paediatric cancers. They work with a first-class multidisciplinary team of paediatric cancer experts and clinical colleagues to provide high-quality care, from investigation to treatment, follow-up and rehabilitation.

Frequently asked questions about proton beam therapy treatment for childhood cancers

Will proton beam therapy reduce the risk of radiation exposure to my child or teenager?

We already know that traditional radiation therapy (also termed radiotherapy) is proven to be effective in the treatment of many cancers, and new methods of delivering it mean that it can be more targeted than ever before.

Very simply put, conventional photon radiotherapy delivers beams of photons (x-rays) to a tumour to damage the cancerous cells until they can’t divide anymore and die.

Photons can be delivered in a precisely targeted way, with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), effectively killing cancer cells. However, the beams continue through the body also damaging healthy cells in their wake – this is the exit dose.

Proton beam therapy (PBT) offers another tool in the armoury of radiation oncology, allowing paediatric radiation oncologists to precisely target individual tumours, but without an exit dose.

Radiation oncologists can manipulate protons, which are small parts of atoms, to stop at the site of the tumour, and do the damage required to kill the cancerous cells and only those. In turn, this generally means fewer damaging effects and toxicities on surrounding healthy tissue during and after treatment.

In many cases, PBT offers an equivalent chance of cure to conventional photon radiotherapy, but there is a theoretical reduction in both short- and long-term side effects. The greater precision PBT allows, including intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) which uses pencil beam scanning (PBS) minimises damage to surrounding healthy cells which is especially useful in the treatment of cancers in children.

When treating a child or young person it makes sense to minimise radiation exposure and to avoid as much damage as possible to surrounding healthy tissue.

How will my child be educated about the proton beam treatment?

To minimise fear and worry, most PBT clinical teams use a play team who are there to reduce anxiety and help your child through the ordeal.

Play is a valuable way of helping a child understand what will happen to them and it helps them feel comfortable with the proton beam therapy treatment. The play specialists will help your child to understand the treatment process by experiencing elements of the treatment through play and visits to the department before treatment starts, which will help your child to become familiar with it and with the staff.

A play specialist can attend treatment appointments with your child to offer full support and guidance. They will also provide activities to keep children happy and engaged.

Can I be with my child while they’re in treatment?

Your child will need to be alone in the proton beam therapy room while they receive the treatment. Trained clinical staff will do all they can to make sure the children in their care are safe and will be monitored and well cared for at all times.

For older children and young people, the team will adapt this approach to become more age appropriate. This often takes the form of an educational session which helps them feel involved in their care.

Play specialists can also help with siblings and family members so they feel supported too.