Proton beam therapy is a cutting-edge form of radiation treatment revolutionising cancer care. Using positively charged particles called protons, proton beam therapy precisely targets tumours while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
Proton beam therapy provides unmatched precision, making it the preferred choice for patients seeking curative treatment for their cancer while minimising the risk of long-term side effects.
Proton beam therapy represents an advanced cancer treatment known for its exceptional precision, making it a preferred choice for patients pursuing effective cures while minimising the likelihood of long-term side effects. In contrast to conventional radiotherapy, this therapy employs a targeted proton beam to destroy cancer cells while significantly decreasing the radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. Unlike other forms of radiotherapy that penetrate entirely through the body, protons halt their journey within the cancerous tissue. As a result, patients experience fewer side effects and shorter recovery times, helping them preserve their quality of life during and after treatment.
Harnessing the power of carefully controlled protons to specifically target cancer tumours, proton beam therapy significantly reduces the risk of damaging surrounding healthy tissues. I believe this treatment approach is particularly important in treating certain types of lung cancer, tumours located near essential organs or in the brain, and for patients who are more vulnerable to adverse effects from conventional radiotherapy. Additionally, it can serve as a preventive treatment for cancers that have recurred or are resistant to standard radiation therapies.
Proton beam therapy has proven to be a highly effective treatment for non-small cell lung cancer, potentially reducing toxicity, particularly in patients with conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis or heart disease. Evidence further indicates that the radiation received by the heart during lung cancer treatment affects treatment success and the risk of serious side effects. Proton beam therapy significantly reduces heart radiation, and for select patients, I always offer proton beam therapy because of this potential to reduce heart damage.
Furthermore, proton beam therapy offers a safe alternative for the postoperative treatment of thymic tumours, especially in younger patients. It minimises the radiation exposure, which can help reduce the risk of developing secondary cancers and heart issues associated with traditional radiotherapy.
Thymoma is very rare, and I often receive referrals from both the UK and internationally. Selecting an oncologist experienced in treating thymoma is crucial for achieving successful treatment outcomes. If your oncologist hasn’t discussed proton beam therapy for your thymoma, ask them why not or make an appointment to discuss it with me.
Proton beam therapy is among the most advanced cancer treatment technologies worldwide, but its accessibility is still restricted in many regions. Proton International is the only private centre in the UK and one of just two proton facilities in the UK, and I’m proud to provide this highly precise cancer treatment alongside a team of exceptional radiographers, physicists, and dedicated customer service experts.
My private practice is affiliated with a distinguished group of hospitals in London, tailored to meet your individual needs through compassionate cancer care. One significant advantage of private hospitals is their flexibility; I can find the most effective cancer treatment and treatment centre for you, and you can decide when to undergo treatment.
I am here to ensure that your cancer treatment causes the least disruption to your well-being and to support you in managing any side effects quickly and effectively, all while prioritising your well-being. Additionally, should you require accommodation, I can assist in arranging a comfortable and convenient place for you to stay near my London practices.
If you are not based in London, I welcome patients from across the UK and also international patients, and I provide initial video consultations to collaboratively develop affordable, personalised cancer care and treatment plans.
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“Proton International at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is located at one of two private proton therapy centres in the UK. I take pride in being one of the few leading clinical oncologists in the UK, providing this highly precise treatment to my patients.”
Dr James Wilson
Targeted cancer treatments
Targeted Therapy
Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy
Chemotherapy kills rapidly dividing cancerous cells, and immunotherapy boosts the immune system’s ability to recognise and attack cancer cells.
CyberKnife is an advanced form of radiation therapy specifically designed to target and treat cancer with unparalleled precision. Using state-of-the-art robotics and real-time imaging.
Stereotactic radiotherapy (SABR) is a precise, high-dose radiation therapy for early-stage lung cancer. It’s highly effective, and my personal cure rate is 90%.
Protons are small particles found in the middle of atoms. They can be used to give carefully calculated doses of radiation to treat diseases. This is different to standard radiotherapy, which uses high-energy X-rays (photons). Protons release their energy at an exact point in the body.
This means the dose to the tumour can be given with great accuracy, and there is minimal or no dose to normal tissue beyond the tumour.
How long does treatment take?
Proton beam therapy is typically delivered as an outpatient treatment, with treatment sessions lasting between 20 and 45 minutes, including preparation and positioning.
How is proton beam therapy delivered?
Proton beam therapy is given using a machine called a gantry. The gantry can rotate through 360 degrees. This means it can accurately aim the proton beam at the area requiring treatment.
Proton technology in the UK offers pencil-beam scanning on each gantry. Pencil beam scanning uses a narrow beam of protons to move back and forth across the tumour site at a range of energies to meet the required depth of the tumour.
Can proton beam therapy be combined with other treatment options?
Yes. Cancer treatment typically involves a variety of approaches. Patients might receive their cancer care through surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or hormone therapy alongside proton therapy. The best combination depends on each person’s unique situation.
What is the difference between proton therapy and traditional radiation therapy?
Proton therapy is an advanced type of external beam radiation therapy that destroys cancer cells by damaging their DNA. Unlike x-ray radiation therapy, proton therapy uses a high-energy proton beam delivered directly into the tumor, depositing all its energy at the target site and minimising radiation exposure to healthy tissue. Traditional radiation therapy with x-rays continuously deposits energy, potentially damaging surrounding healthy tissue and causing side effects.
How does your clinical approach differ?
I specialise in state-of-the-art cancer and lung cancer treatments that offer powerful alternatives to surgery and traditional radiotherapy. As a leading UK cancer doctor, I am now able to offer more people with cancer and lung cancer treatments the potential for a cure than ever before.
I am one of the few radiation oncology health professionals in the UK who can offer proton beam therapy, along with advanced treatment options such as clinical trials, combined drug therapy, and immunotherapy approaches.
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What people are saying
“At all times, James is excellent. He is open and trustworthy and avoids speaking in jargon. He provides a very high level of care – you would never believe he had other patients to deal with. Given that interactions with him are inevitably about difficult issues and he cannot always deliver good news, he is fantastic to deal with. He is also very responsive at all times of day and really puts himself out to help his patients as best he can.”
