What is proton beam therapy?

Proton beam therapy (PBT) is an advanced form of radiotherapy that uses a high energy beam of protons rather than high energy X-rays to deliver radiotherapy. The Christie is the first NHS high-energy PBT centre in the UK as part of a £250m programme for a national PBT service.

PBT directs the radiation treatment to precisely where it is needed with minimal damage to surrounding tissue. A second PBT centre opened at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2021.

The national PBT service is a key component of the Government's Cancer Strategy Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer (2011).

Proton beam therapy, gantry, PBT patient, Radiographer, Angela Hill, Superintendent Radiographer, David Kirk, Pan Artists, Patricia Dawson, September 2022

Clinical benefits of proton beam therapy

Proton beam therapy works a little differently from standard radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy, Isaac Allen, Matthew Clarke, February 2021, Proton beam therapy, PBT, gantry

Development of proton beam therapy

Over 115,000 patients have been treated in 50 proton centres.

Proton beam therapy, gantry, PBT patient, Radiographer, Adeeba Halim, Pan Artists, Ian Aston, September 2022

How proton beam therapy is delivered

Find out about the inner workings of proton beam therapy.

What is proton beam therapy?

Clinical benefits of proton beam therapy

Development of proton beam therapy

How proton beam therapy is delivered

Last updated: March 2023