Proton radiotherapy means lower risk with high efficacy of radiation. The key is getting the patient into the treatment process as soon as possible
The Proton Therapy Center in Prague (PTC − Proton Therapy Center Czech) is a modern healthcare facility specializing in the treatment of oncological diseases using so-called proton radiotherapy. This therapy is covered by public health insurance in indicated cases. Since its opening in 2012, PTC has treated nearly 10,000 patients, not only from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In 2019, it became part of the National Oncology Center.
Basic principle and benefits of proton radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is an integral part of comprehensive cancer treatment. Treatment with ionizing radiation always carries a certain risk of side effects, which can manifest over months to decades. Proton radiotherapy utilizes accelerated protons that deliver most of their energy at the end of their path in the tissue. This results in dose distribution of radiation that is less burdensome to healthy tissues compared to modern photon radiotherapy. While photon radiotherapy uses radiation from multiple directions so that the necessary dose in the target volume adds up from these directions while minimizing the unwanted dose to healthy tissues, particle (in this case proton) radiotherapy allows achieving a sufficient dose to the target lesion while significantly minimizing the overall irradiated volume of surrounding structures. Proton irradiation is thus gentler in terms of overall radiation load on healthy tissues and just as effective in the tumor area.
Spectrum of diagnoses treated at PTC
The wide range of diagnoses treated with proton radiotherapy includes prostate and breast carcinomas, CNS tumors, head and neck tumors, malignant lymphomas, pediatric tumors, as well as esophageal tumors, pancreatic tumors, hepatocellular carcinoma, and selected lung tumors and retroperitoneal sarcomas.
In 2015, PTC became one of the first centers in the world to use proton irradiation for patients with left-sided breast cancer or with malignant lymphoma located in the mediastinum. This method of treatment reduces irradiation of the heart and lungs, thereby reducing the risk of developing heart and lung diseases. In 2019, PTC began treating leukemia with CNS involvement and extramedullary involvement (myelosarcoma).
Multidisciplinary teams and the possibility to consult patients
For each indication, multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are established for the benefit of cancer patients. Their essence is the close cooperation of doctors from various specialties – radiologists, radiation oncologists, clinical oncologists, surgeons, neurosurgeons, pediatric oncologists, urologists, and others. All specialists have the opportunity to participate in indication seminars for indication, treatment, evaluation of treatment outcomes, and patient follow-up (management of registries). Each MDT has a supervisor − a leading doctor responsible for a particular diagnosis − and a coordinator who any doctor can contact at any time. Those interested in MDT membership or participation in its activities can register online.
If a doctor is interested in consulting regarding the possibility of proton radiotherapy for their patient, they only need to fill out an online form and upload the related medical documentation on the website. Any imaging documentation can be sent via ePACS. Within 24 hours, the doctor will be contacted by a coordinator who will inform them of the conclusion of the doctors within the indication seminar and the proposal for the next treatment procedure.
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Source: Proton Therapy Center Czech. Available at: www.ptc.clinic
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