Do you need a referral for proton therapy?

Ask the proton centre whether another clinician must submit the request or whether you can begin with a direct enquiry. Referral acceptance opens a specialist review; it does not mean proton treatment has been selected.

Proton therapy is a form of external-beam radiation treatment. A radiation oncologist considers the diagnosis, tumour location, nearby sensitive structures, treatment goal, previous radiation, other planned therapies, and whether a proton plan offers a meaningful dose-distribution advantage for the individual situation.

The centre may compare possible radiation plans before advising. Treatment availability and clinical suitability are separate questions, so the assessment may lead to proton therapy, another radiation technique, or a different recommendation discussed with your wider cancer team.

Contact the centre for its referral instructions and record-transfer method. It may need pathology reports, diagnostic images rather than reports alone, surgical notes, details of chemotherapy or other systemic therapy, prior radiation plans and dose information, current medicines, and the treating team's clinical summary.

Tell the service about implanted devices, pregnancy, difficulty lying in the treatment position, or previous reactions to contrast material. Keep appointments with your current cancer team while the proton review is underway, and do not postpone active treatment unless the responsible oncologists agree on the timing.

Contact your treating team promptly for a new fever during cancer treatment, uncontrolled pain, repeated vomiting, new weakness or numbness, worsening headaches with vomiting, or rapidly increasing breathlessness. These concerns require clinical triage independently of a proton therapy decision.

Use emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, chest pain, a seizure, fainting, sudden confusion, or sudden loss of movement. Bring your medicine list and cancer treatment details if doing so does not delay departure.

Ask what benefit proton planning could offer in your case, which alternatives will be compared, whether earlier radiation limits the plan, how treatment fits with surgery or medicines, what side effects relate to the treated area, and which team will coordinate follow-up. Confirm whether more imaging or planning procedures are required.