Proton Therapy in Czech Republic

The use of radiation therapy is one of the fundamental directions in the treatment of cancer. Many countries of the world have included proton therapy in the treatment protocols for widespread benign and malignant tumors, and the Czech Republic is no an exception.

Proton therapy overview

Currently, the main treatment methods for cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Proton therapy is one of the most advanced types of radiation therapy.

Conventional radiation therapy uses photon beams, while the proton therapy method uses proton beams. Photon radiation emits energy alone the whole trajectory of movement in the human body. As a result, until now it was impossible to avoid damage to healthy tissues and organs located near the pathological focus.

Due to the physical properties of proton beams, proton therapy is considered a method of high efficiency, characterized by a less damaging influence on the body and minimal side effects.

Proton beams have the physical property of releasing maximum energy only at the area of focus, without the delivery of radiation to the healthy tissues. The parameters of irradiation with proton beams are set in accordance with the location of the pathological focus. They release the maximum amount of energy without further penetration into the body. The calculation of the optimal irradiation for each patient allows destroying the tumor precisely.

Since photon beams pass through the tumor in conventional radiation therapy, the other organs get the radiation as well. With proton therapy, radiation is stopped at the needed level when the corresponding Bragg peak is set, which makes it possible to reduce the harmful effect on the surrounding healthy tissues.

In rehabilitation clinics, proton therapy has been included in the treatment protocols for cancer. Therefore, most hospitals and medical oncology centers practice proton therapy successfully.

Indications for proton therapy

Proton therapy is prescribed when it is impossible to remove the tumor surgically for various reasons; when the malignant tumor is located near the vital organs and structures; when the more sparing method of treatment is preferred (in cases of cancer in children or elderly people).

Pediatric oncology is one of the main indications for proton therapy since the use of the conventional radiation therapy methods can be accompanied by the damage of the developing organs and tissues.

Proton therapy is often used for the treatment of:

• Brain tumors (due to their proximity to the brain stem, cranial and optic nerves)
• Eye cancer or intraocular melanoma
• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer (proton therapy provides a high level of control over the disease while sparing the surrounding healthy tissues and organs like rectum and bladder)
• Some gastrointestinal tumors
• Bone sarcomas

The issue of radiation safety in cancer recurrence often makes it impossible to repeat courses of photon radiation therapy. The unique physical properties of protons make it possible to use proton therapy in the complex treatment of recurrent cancer.

Before proton therapy treatment

In the treatment of cancer, proton therapy includes preparation stages such as consultation with the attending physician, the medical history taking, undergoing diagnostics, as well as the elaboration of individual scheme of the proton therapy procedures.

In terms of diagnostics, the patient needs to undergo:

• CT (computed tomography)
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) 
• PET scan (positron emission tomography scan) in combination with computed tomography examination

There is no discomfort during proton therapy and the procedure itself lasts about 15-30 minutes per session.

All medical manipulations associated with the procedure in the proton therapy centers are controlled to ensure compliance with all international standards and the highest quality of treatment.

Proton therapy in the Czech Republic

The appearance of proton therapy centers in the Czech Republic has significantly improved the effectiveness of radical treatment of most cancers. Besides, the use of proton therapy has shown effectiveness in benign tumor treatment, when there is a need for the destruction of pathological formations. In proton therapy centers in the Czech Republic, oncologists are in the process of constant advanced training and the development of new methods for the effective and safe use of proton beam therapy.

Besides, the use of proton therapy requires special equipment.

Proton therapy centers in the Czech Republic are equipped with all main and the corresponding additional devices required for treatment.

Depending on the diagnosis, the treatment process takes from two to eight weeks. The actual exposure lasts only a few minutes. In some cases, it may be necessary to use general anesthesia, for example in cases with children. During proton therapy sessions, patients are under constant supervision and their general health condition is monitored. Most patients do not experience severe side effects after the treatment.

Treatment of oncological and somatic pathologies in the proton therapy centers in the Czech Republic provides many possibilities, such as:

• Highly effective methods of diagnostics of the oncological processes. This is necessary for the subsequent precise focusing of the beam on the tumor during a proton therapy session. If necessary, the Czech proton therapy center can offer services of histological identification of the tumor using biopsy techniques (taking a piece of the tumor) and subsequent investigation of the harvested material in a laboratory.
• The use of individual techniques for proton therapy. The specifics of the procedure depends on the location of the formation in the body, its size, the presence of metastases, histological type of the tumor, gender, age, and the general health condition of the patient.
• Consultations of leading oncologists and specialists in proton therapy. In the proton therapy center specialists provide the attending physician with all necessary information in case of any questions related to the peculiarities of the proton therapy course.
• Cooperation with doctors not specialized in oncological diseases (therapist, neurologist, cardiologist, etc.) in proton therapy centers. This makes it possible to diagnose and cure any pathologies before, during, or after the proton therapy treatment.
• The possibility of inpatient and outpatient treatment in the proton therapy centers.

Besides, the staff in medical clinics and proton therapy centers in the Czech Republic is fluent in English, which makes it possible for patients from any country to undergo the treatment there.

Proton therapy in the Czech Republic demonstrates promising results in the treatment of many malignant processes, gives hope to patients with metastases, and is used when other methods of therapy are ineffective.

Practical research around the world shows that proton therapy gives the best results and allows the patient to return to normal life immediately after treatment.

Side effects

Proton therapy uses ionizing radiation, so it has certain side effects. Side effects of radiation therapy occur both when the beam destroys the pathological area and as a result of radiation damage to healthy cells outside the tumor.

Due to the high accuracy of proton therapy, side effects after the treatment are far from being as severe as after the conventional radiation therapy.

The unique properties of protons significantly reduce the risk of serious complications, which is incomparable with the therapeutic effectiveness of the method.

The number and severity of side effects depend on the delivery method and dose, as well as on the localization of the neoplasm, and its proximity to critical organs.

By the time of occurrence, side effects are divided into the early and late ones.

Early side effects occur during treatment or immediately after its completion and usually resolve within a few weeks without additional therapy.

Common early side effects of radiation therapy are fatigue and hypersensitivity of the skin (irritation, swelling, dryness, itching, flaking).

Depending on the area of exposure, local reactions are also possible in the early period after the procedure, such as:

• Hair loss in the treatment area
• Digestive problems
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headaches
• Soreness and swelling in the treatment area
• Changes in urine and bladder function

Late side effects that occur in months or years after therapy are rare but may persist for life. They are manifested by changes in tissues exposed to radiation: the brain and spinal cord, lungs, kidneys, intestines, etc.

Where can I undergo proton therapy in the Czech Republic?

Health tourism is becoming more and more popular these days, as treatment abroad often ensures a much better quality of proton therapy.

The specialized medical institutions in the Czech Republic practice the method of proton therapy. Although, the Proton Therapy Center in Prague shows the best success rates in proton therapy in the Czech Republic.

The Prague Proton Therapy Center is one of the most modern medical facilities in the world. With high-precision technology and the latest equipment, patients are offered the best services for treatment. Thanks to the accuracy of the proton beam, it became possible to treat any tumor, including those located close to vital organs, without significant harm to the patient's health and restrictions in the usual lifestyle.

The Proton Therapy Center in Prague is an outpatient facility for the treatment and diagnostic examination of patients.

The work of the proton therapy center in Prague complies with international protocols and world standards. The institution constantly supports the sphere of radiation oncology of this country, making significant contribution to its development.

The main task of this proton therapy center is to use the method of radiation exposure as a fundamental method of treating oncological pathologies. Today, many leading hospitals around the world have included proton therapy in the protocols for the treatment of benign and malignant tumors.

You can find more information about the hospitals and the services that they provide on the Booking Health website.

The cost of treatment in Czech Republic

The prices in hospitals listed on the Booking Health website are relatively low. With Booking Health, you can undergo treatment in the Czech Republic at an affordable price.

The average cost for proton therapy treatment in the Czech Republic is approximately 50,000 EUR.

Proton therapy for prostate cancer treatment costs 44,648 EUR.

Proton therapy for brain cancer treatment costs 53,899 EUR.

Proton therapy for breast cancer treatment costs 44,526 EUR.

Proton therapy for lung cancer treatment costs 44,462 EUR.

The cost for proton therapy treatment varies, as the prices depend on hospitals, the specifics of the disease, and the complexity of its treatment.

You also need to consider the cost of additional procedures and follow-up care. Therefore, the ultimate cost of treatment in Czech Republic may differ from the initial price.

To make sure that the cost of treatment in Czech Republic is suitable for you, contact us by leaving the request on the Booking Health website.

How can I undergo treatment with proton therapy in the Czech Republic?

It is not easy to self-organize any treatment abroad. It requires certain knowledge and expertise. Thus, it is safer, easier, and less stressful to shift some responsibility onto a medical tourism agency.

As the largest and most transparent medical tourism agency in the world, Booking Health has up-to-date information about proton therapy treatment in the best hospitals. Having accurate information on the success rates of the hospitals in proton therapy, Booking Health will help you select the right medical facility taking into account your wishes for treatment.

We want to help you and take on all the troubles. You can be free of unnecessary stress, while Booking Health takes care of all organizational issues. Our services are aimed at safe and successful undergoing proton therapy.

Medical tourism can be easy! All you need to do is to leave a request on the Booking Health website, and our manager will contact you shortly.