Particle radiotherapy · UK
Proton beam therapy, private in the UK.
A curative radiotherapy that uses the Bragg peak to stop dose at the tumour and spare tissue beyond. NHS at Christie Manchester and UCLH London for approved cases, private and overseas pathways for everyone else.
Why patients choose us
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A clinical oncologist with a proton pathway
Not a general radiotherapy list. A consultant clinical oncologist who knows the NHS Proton Panel route, the private UK options and the overseas centres.
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Proton is not always the right answer
For many adult cancers, photon SBRT or MR-linac gives the same result. We only recommend protons where the physics genuinely helps.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no centre, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What proton beam therapy costs.
NHS-approved cases are fully funded. Private and overseas ranges below. Send us the histology and imaging and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
NHS Panel: free. Private UK: £65,000–£110,000. Overseas: €55,000–€95,000.
| Pathway | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS Proton Panel approved case (UK or overseas) | Free | 4–8 weeks | Fully funded |
| Private proton course (UK, standard site) | £65,000–£90,000 | 4–8 weeks | Start in 2–3 weeks |
| Private proton course (complex, reirradiation, paediatric) | £85,000–£110,000 | 5–8 weeks | Start in 2–3 weeks |
| Overseas proton course (Prague, Essen, Krakow) | €55,000–€95,000 | 4–8 weeks | Start in 2–4 weeks |
| Second-opinion review of your case for proton suitability | £350–£650 | 45–60 min | 48 hours |
| Planning CT, MRI fusion and mask fitting (included) | Included | 1–2 weeks | Before treatment |
Prices vary by centre, by anatomical site, by number of fractions and by whether adaptive re-planning is needed. Overseas prices exclude travel and accommodation for private patients. NHS Programme covers travel, accommodation and a family carer for approved cases.
What it is
Particle radiotherapy that stops at the tumour.
Photon radiotherapy deposits dose along the whole beam path, including tissue beyond the tumour. Protons deposit most of their energy at a defined depth called the Bragg peak, then stop.
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The Bragg peak
A proton delivers little dose along its path, then deposits almost all of its energy in a narrow depth window called the Bragg peak, tuned to the tumour depth.
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Sharp distal fall-off
Beyond the Bragg peak, dose falls to near zero within a few millimetres. Photons keep going and exit through the tissue on the far side.
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Why the physics matters
The physics is only clinically useful where a critical structure sits just past the target: brainstem, optic chiasm, spinal cord, developing brain, or a previously irradiated organ.
The journey
From referral to follow-up, what happens, in order.
One clinical oncologist owns the pathway, whether the treatment is delivered at Christie, UCLH, a private centre or abroad.
Phase 1 · Before treatment
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On treatment
4 to 8 weeks daily
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You send us the histology and imaging
A short, confidential form. Diagnosis, stage, prior treatment, and MRI or CT if you have it. We work from what you send.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether proton fits, whether photon SBRT or MR-linac is better, and whether NHS Panel funding is realistic. An honest read either way.
- 03
Before
Panel or self-funded pathway agreed
For paediatric, skull base, chordoma and sarcoma cases, we prepare the NHS Panel referral. For private cases, indicative quotes across UK and overseas centres.
- 04
On treatment
Planning CT, MRI and mask fitting
A dedicated planning CT with immobilisation, plus a fused MRI. For head and neck cases a thermoplastic mask. Planning takes 1 to 2 weeks.
- 05
On treatment
Daily proton fractions
15 to 30 minutes per session, Monday to Friday, for 4 to 8 weeks. Each fraction is painless and you are alone in the treatment room.
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On treatment
On-treatment review
A weekly review with the clinical oncologist to manage skin, mucositis, fatigue and any pain. Bloods checked as needed.
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After
Follow-up imaging and long-term surveillance
First MRI or CT at 3 months, then per protocol. Endocrine, cognitive and second-tumour surveillance for paediatric survivors, lifelong.
Typical end-to-end: 6 to 10 weeks including planning. Follow-up imaging: 3 months. Late-effects surveillance: lifelong for children.
Who it helps
NHS-approved and private indications.
The NHS Panel funds proton for indications where the evidence is strongest. Private and international pathways cover the broader group where evidence is more variable.
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Paediatric cancers
Medulloblastoma, ependymoma, craniopharyngioma, rhabdomyosarcoma and retinoblastoma. Proton is the UK NHS standard of care to reduce late effects and second tumours.
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Skull base chordoma and chondrosarcoma
The classic proton indication. High doses next to brainstem, optic apparatus and cranial nerves, where photon dose to normal tissue is unacceptable.
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Spinal chordoma and sarcoma
Chordoma of the sacrum or spine, and paraspinal sarcoma, where the spinal cord and cauda equina sit adjacent to the target.
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Retroperitoneal sarcoma
Selected retroperitoneal soft-tissue sarcomas where sparing bowel, kidney and liver changes what dose can be delivered.
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Reirradiation
Recurrence in a previously irradiated field, where the sharp fall-off of the Bragg peak lets you retreat without exceeding cord, brainstem or bowel tolerance.
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Adenoid cystic head and neck
Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands, sinus and skull base. NHS-approved through Panel for selected cases; also offered privately overseas.
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Nasopharynx and recurrent H&N
Recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma is on the NHS Panel list. Primary nasopharyngeal cases go on evidence.
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Prostate, breast, lung: equipoise
Private and international only. Evidence is broadly equivalent to modern photon SBRT or IMRT. Cardiac sparing in left breast is the strongest signal.
Delivery options
Proton is one family of radiotherapy, and photon SBRT sits beside it.
For most adult prostate, breast, lung and oligometastasis cases, the honest answer is that photon SBRT or MR-linac will do the job as well and locally. For paediatric, skull base and chordoma, proton is the right answer.
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Pencil-beam scanning (PBS)
The modern standard. A narrow proton beam is magnetically steered spot by spot to paint the tumour in three dimensions. Sharpest conformity; used at every current UK and Western European centre.
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Intensity-modulated proton therapy
IMPT uses PBS with inverse planning to modulate dose per spot. It is what modern proton means in practice. Handles concave targets around brainstem or spinal cord.
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Passive scattering (older)
Uses apertures and compensators to shape a broad beam. Simpler, but wider penumbra and higher neutron dose. Being phased out; some overseas centres still use it.
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Photon SBRT (the alternative)
Stereotactic photon radiotherapy in 3 to 5 fractions. For prostate, lung, oligometastasis and brain, the outcomes are broadly equivalent to protons and delivered locally in the UK.
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MR-linac adaptive radiotherapy
A photon linac with a built-in MRI. Daily plan adaptation for pancreas, prostate and abdominal targets. A serious alternative to proton for moving abdominal targets.
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Carbon-ion therapy
Heavier particles with higher biological effect for radioresistant sarcomas and chordoma. Not offered in the UK. Available in Germany, Italy and Japan.
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Proton reirradiation planning
A dedicated re-planning workflow that overlays your original photon plan onto the new proton plan to keep cumulative dose below cord, brainstem and bowel tolerance.
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Second-opinion review
A specialist review of your histology, imaging and prior treatment. Sometimes the honest answer is that photons will do the job, or that watchful waiting is the safer step.
Where you can be treated
UK NHS centres, overseas partners, and a clinician here to coordinate.
NHS proton therapy is delivered at Christie Manchester and UCLH London, free at the point of use for Panel-approved cases. The private UK landscape is smaller: the Rutherford Cancer Centres in Newport, Reading and Northumberland closed in 2022, and new private centres remain in discussion. Overseas partners in Prague, Essen and Krakow take both NHS Programme referrals and self-funded international patients.
Selection criteria
How we choose every centre and every clinical oncologist in our network.
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UK NHS proton centres at Christie Manchester and UCLH London, free to Panel-approved patients
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Overseas proton centres in Prague, Essen and Krakow with English-speaking pathways
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NHS Proton Overseas Programme covers travel, accommodation and treatment for approved cases
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Clinical oncologists who write the Panel referral and manage on-treatment reviews here in the UK
Safety and recovery
What to expect during and after, honestly.
A course of proton radiotherapy is a serious commitment. Acute effects overlap with photon radiotherapy; the promise of proton is in the late effects, especially for children and reirradiation.
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Fatigue during and after treatment
The most common side effect of any course of radiotherapy. Usually peaks in the last week and settles over 4 to 8 weeks. Not different in kind from photon fatigue.
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Skin reaction in the entry area
Redness, dryness and sometimes moist desquamation over the entry beams. Managed with aqueous cream, hydrocolloid dressings and, rarely, a short treatment break.
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Site-specific acute effects
Mucositis for head and neck, bowel upset for pelvic, cough for thoracic. Managed with analgesia, mouth care, antiemetics and dietetic input.
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Distal fall-off spares deep tissue
The Bragg peak means proton dose falls sharply beyond the tumour, sparing tissue on the far side. This is the physics reason to choose proton.
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Range uncertainty at the distal edge
Proton dose does not stop at exactly the same depth every day. Modern planning uses robust optimisation and daily image guidance to manage this.
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Late effects, years later
Growth, hormone, cognitive and cardiac late effects are the reason protons matter in paediatric care. Long-term follow-up is part of the plan.
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Second cancer risk
All ionising radiation carries a small second-cancer risk. Protons reduce integral dose to healthy tissue, which is the theoretical basis for their use in children.
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Travel and accommodation
For overseas treatment, expect 6 to 10 weeks abroad including planning and recovery. NHS Programme funds a family carer. Private patients arrange their own logistics.
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Red flags on treatment
New neurological signs, severe pain, vomiting, high fever, or bleeding need same-day contact with the oncology team, not a wait until the next fraction.
Reading your treatment plan
Your proton plan in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever centre delivers your treatment, the plan and follow-up letter keep to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Radiotherapy language is precise and can read coldly. We translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the plan before your consent appointment, just ask.
- 01 Header
Diagnosis, stage and prior treatment
Histology, TNM stage, prior surgery, prior chemotherapy and any previous radiotherapy field with dose and date.
- 02 Plan
Target volumes and organs at risk
GTV, CTV and PTV in cubic centimetres, prescription dose in Gy(RBE), fractionation, and dose constraints on brainstem, cord, optic apparatus, cochlea, bowel and heart.
- 03 Findings
On-treatment tolerance and imaging
Weekly toxicity graded on CTCAE, weight, blood counts and any adaptive re-planning triggered by anatomy change or weight loss.
- 04 Impression
Follow-up schedule and late-effects plan
Read this first: first surveillance imaging date, endocrine and cognitive follow-up for paediatric survivors, and clear who owns the long-term follow-up.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for proton therapy varies by insurer and by indication. Usually funded for paediatric, skull base and chordoma. Prostate, breast and lung protons are rarely covered because photon SBRT is judged equivalent.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about proton beam therapy.
Quick answers on NHS eligibility, private cost, travel, insurance, paediatric care and side effects.
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Am I eligible for NHS-funded proton therapy in the UK?
The NHS Proton Panel funds proton therapy for defined indications: paediatric cancers, skull base and spinal chordoma and chondrosarcoma, selected retroperitoneal sarcoma, adult recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck. Referrals go via a specialist MDT to the National Proton Overseas Programme, or to the UK NHS centres at Christie Manchester and UCLH London. Approved cases are fully funded, including travel and accommodation abroad where relevant.
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Do I still have to travel abroad for proton therapy?
Not for most NHS-approved cases. Since 2018, Christie Manchester and UCLH London deliver NHS proton therapy in the UK for the majority of Panel-approved indications. A small number of very specialist cases, or cases where UK capacity is not immediately available, are still funded overseas at partner centres in Germany, Switzerland or the US via the NHS Programme.
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How much does private proton therapy cost in the UK?
A full private proton course typically costs £65,000 to £110,000, covering planning, mask fitting, daily fractions and on-treatment review. Overseas courses in Prague, Essen or Krakow run roughly €55,000 to €95,000. These prices are for treatment only and do not include travel, accommodation, or return-flight surveillance imaging.
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Does my private medical insurance cover proton therapy?
Cover varies. Bupa, AXA and Vitality have paid for proton therapy where clinical evidence supports it, typically for paediatric, skull base and chordoma indications, and case-by-case for reirradiation. Prostate, breast and lung protons are usually not covered because photon SBRT is judged equivalent. We confirm cover in writing before you commit.
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Is proton therapy better for my child than standard radiotherapy?
For most paediatric solid tumours that need radiotherapy, yes. Protons reduce integral dose to healthy tissue outside the target, which lowers the risk of growth failure, endocrine deficiency, cognitive impairment and radiation-induced second cancers decades later. It is the NHS standard of care for eligible paediatric cases.
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Are the side effects of proton therapy really lower than photon?
Acute side effects such as fatigue, skin reaction and mucositis are similar. The difference is the integral dose to healthy tissue beyond the target, which is lower with protons because of the Bragg peak fall-off. This translates into fewer long-term late effects, most clearly in children and in tumours close to critical structures.
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How long is a course of proton therapy?
Most curative courses are 4 to 8 weeks, Monday to Friday, with 20 to 40 fractions at 1.8 to 2 Gy(RBE) per fraction. Reirradiation and paediatric courses can be shorter or longer depending on the site. Planning adds 1 to 2 weeks up front, so allow 6 to 10 weeks end to end.
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Send Enquiry
Send histology and imaging, we come back within a working day.
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Ready to talk about proton?
Send the histology and imaging. We come back within a working day.
Whether the answer is NHS Panel, a private UK course, an overseas centre, or photon SBRT instead, you will hear it straight and you will hear it fast.