Proton Beam Therapy: what is it?
Proton Beam Therapy, or PBT, is a type of treatment using a machine that is like a big camera, a little bit like having an x-ray. It doesn’t hurt to have it, the machine won’t touch you, and you won’t see or feel the treatment. Before you start your treatment there are a few things that we need to do. This is when you will come to UCLH to meet us. We will teach you and your family all about protons and what it means for you.
The Radiotherapy Services Play Specialist Team - Katie, Claire, Rhonda, and Aine
On your first visit, you will meet the paediatric team who will support you through your treatment. There is a specialist paediatric radiographer and a team of health play specialists. There are also the doctors that you will see each week and the radiographers that you will meet when you have your scans and proton treatment.
On your first visits you will meet the doctors and play specialists in the clinic on B3. This is where we will get to know you and your family, and talk about your treatment.
We will also introduce you to the play area on B4. This has lots of activities and fun things to do when you come and visit for your treatment and scans. You may also spot an area called the TYA lounge. This area is only for patients 13 years old and over.
The most important thing is to lie very still during your treatment. There are lots of different ways we can help you to stay in the right position each day. We may make you a special mould for the part of your body that needs treatment. Everyone is different. We will explain everything to you and your family, We will be able to play and practice to help you understand. We will be there support you when your mould is made.
Before you can start proton treatment, we will need to take some pictures of you in your treatment position. We have different cameras to take these pictures. One is called a CT scanner and one is called an MRI scanner. Your job is to stay very still whilst we take these pictures.
You may need to have some marks made on your skin for your treatment. We will talk to you about them when you visit.
Once you have finished your planning scans we will talk with you and your family all about the proton treatment. This is a picture of what the proton treatment machine looks like. Remember: it is just like a big camera. The treatment is just like having a picture taken. It will move around you but will never touch you, and you won’t feel anything. You may hear some people call the machine a gantry.
We will work hard to answer all of your questions before you go home. You will have a couple of weeks until we see you again. When you come back to start treatment we will be there to help you.
UCLH Children's ward
If your doctor wants you to have chemotherapy whilst you are having proton beam therapy, you will have this at UCH on the paediatric oncology ward T11North or T11N. You will have a visit there before you start your treatment so you can meet the team.
You can contact the Radiotherapy/ PBT Play specialists on the email below: uclh.
If you need a large print, audio, braille, easy read, age-friendly or translated copy of this document, please contact us at uclh.
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Page last updated: 18 December 2024
Review due: 30 June 2025