Proton Beam Therapy

Dr Shanmugasundaram Ramkumar (Dr Ram) is one of the UK’s most experienced Consultant Clinical Oncologists in advanced radiotherapy and proton beam therapy. He specialises in the non-surgical treatment of head & neck, brain and skull base tumours, delivering highly precise, personalised evidence-based care tailored to each individual. At his private clinic at Proton International London, Dr Ram provides private proton beam therapy in the UK for patients seeking world-class precision cancer treatment.

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What is proton beam therapy?

Proton beam therapy is an advanced form of radiotherapy that uses protons rather than X-rays to treat cancer. The key advantage lies in how the radiation dose is delivered. Proton therapy allows radiation to stop precisely within the tumour, significantly reducing exit dose to surrounding healthy tissues. Unlike conventional radiotherapy, proton therapy can:

Deliver radiation with extreme precision
Reduce radiation dose to surrounding healthy tissue
Lower the risk of long-term side effects
Be especially beneficial in complex or sensitive tumour locations
Improve quality of life

This makes it particularly valuable for cancers located close to critical structures such as the brainstem, brain, eyes, optic nerves, salivary glands, spinal cord and skull base and in the head and neck.

Proton Beam Therapy for Head & Neck, Brain & Skull Base Tumours

Proton Beam Therapy for Head & Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancers often sit close to vital structures affecting speech, swallowing, taste and saliva production. Proton beam therapy can:

Reduce radiation to salivary glands
Help preserve swallowing function
Lower risk of long-term dry mouth
Minimise dose to spinal cord and brainstem

This is particularly important for patients requiring high-dose treatment or re-irradiation.

Proton Beam Therapy for Brain Tumours

For selected primary brain tumours and complex intracranial cases, proton therapy offers:

Highly conformal dose delivery
Reduced exposure to healthy brain tissue
Potential reduction in late cognitive side effects
Improved protection of optic structures and brainstem

Dr Ram carefully evaluates each patient to determine whether proton therapy offers a meaningful clinical advantage.

Proton beam therapy for skull base tumours

Skull base tumours such as chordomas and chondrosarcomas require exceptional precision due to their proximity to critical nerves and vascular structures. Proton therapy is often particularly beneficial because it:

Allows high-dose treatment while sparing nearby nerves
Reduces dose to brainstem and optic apparatus
Is well suited for complex anatomical regions

Dr Ram has extensive experience in managing these rare and challenging tumours.

Why choose Dr Ram for proton beam therapy in the UK?

Choosing the right specialist for proton beam therapy is essential, particularly for complex cancers located near critical structures. Dr Ram is a highly experienced Consultant Clinical Oncologist with particular expertise in advanced radiotherapy and proton beam therapy for head & neck, brain and skull base tumours and has more than 14 year’s experience in proton beam therapy and completed five advanced Fellowships in Proton beam therapy and Carbon Ion therapy in USA and Europe. Clinical Expertise & Leadership

One of the UK’s most experienced specialists in proton beam therapy
Extensive experience treating complex head & neck and skull base tumours
Expertise in advanced radiotherapy techniques including IMRT and stereotactic radiotherapy
Experienced in combining radiotherapy with chemotherapy and immunotherapy where appropriate
Strong focus on preserving function and protecting long-term quality of life
Trusted by UK and international referrers for complex and challenging cases

Dr Ram combines technical precision with a thoughtful, patient-centred approach, ensuring each treatment plan is carefully tailored to the individual and delivered within a supportive, specialist environment.

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Private Treatment Pathway in London

Treatment at Proton International London

1. Initial Consultation (In-Person or Virtual) Dr Ram will undertake a comprehensive review of diagnosis, imaging and pathology.

2. Multidisciplinary Review Collaboration with surgeons, radiologists and medical oncologists where appropriate.

3. Advanced Treatment Planning Detailed CT and MRI-based planning to design an individualised proton therapy plan.

4. Daily Treatment (Typically 4–7 Weeks) Treatment is delivered as a outpatient procedure, Monday to Friday.

5. Follow-Up & Ongoing Care Structured follow-up with Dr Ram to monitor response, recovery and long-term outcomes.

International Patients – Proton Beam Therapy in London

Dr Ram welcomes patients travelling to the UK for specialist proton beam cancer treatment.

Virtual Consultations

Video consultations are available for:

Initial second opinions
Treatment planning discussions
Pre-travel assessments
Post-treatment follow-up

Travel & Accommodation

Proton International London is centrally located with excellent transport links. Guidance can be provided by their Patient Enquiry Team regarding:

Nearby accommodation options
Expected treatment duration
Support for accompanying family members

Contact Dr Ram

Dealing with cancer can be a difficult and emotionally challenging situation. Dr Ram always has your best interests and wellbeing at heart.

Make an enquiry or book an appointment today to see how Dr Ram can help.

Clinical Indications for Proton Beam Therapy

NHS England Clinical Indications for Proton Beam Therapy

Adult Indications

Base of Skull and Spinal Chordoma
Base of Skull Chondrosarcoma
Spinal and Paraspinal Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas (Non-Ewing’s)
Ocular Melanoma

Paediatric Indications

Base of Skull and Spinal Chordoma
Base of Skull Chondrosarcoma
Spinal and Paraspinal “Adult-Type” Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Rhabdomyosarcoma:
- Orbit
- Parameningeal
- Head and Neck
- Pelvis
Ependymoma
Ewing’s Sarcoma
Retinoblastoma
Optic Pathway and Other Selected Low-Grade Gliomas
Craniopharyngioma
Pineal Parenchymal Tumours (not Pineoblastoma)
Esthesioneuroblastoma

PTCOG clinical indications for Proton Beam Therapy

Ocular melanomas
CNS tumours: meningiomas, gliomas
Head and neck cancers: nasopharynx, paranasal sinus, oropharynx and parotid tumours
Base of skull tumours
Spinal/paraspinal sarcomas
Thoracic lymphomas
Inoperable lung cancers
Re-irradiation for recurrent cancer
Left-sided breast cancer
Prostate cancer with lymph node involvement
Complex recurrent GI cancers
Hepatocellular carcinoma

Extended NHS Proton Beam Therapy indications for Head and Neck Cancer at Proton International London in partnership with UCLH

Radical radiotherapy for localised non-metastatic head and neck cancers where it is anticipated that a radical radiotherapy dose cannot be delivered with photon radiotherapy without compromise of organs at risk (OAR) dose constraints:
- Nasopharyngeal cancer (definitive radiotherapy)
- Sino-nasal cancers (postoperative radiotherapy; definitive radiotherapy)
- Oropharyngeal cancers (post-operative radiotherapy; definitive radiotherapy)
- Salivary gland cancers (post-operative radiotherapy; definitive radiotherapy)
- Bone and soft tissue sarcomas at all head and neck sites
PBT to allow re-irradiation of a site/delivery of a radical radiotherapy dose close to a previous radiotherapy site:
- Re-irradiation of locally recurrent primary head and neck tumour at least than 12 months after the previous RT.
- Second head and neck cancer located close to a previously irradiated head and neck cancer.
- Patients who have previously received radical radiotherapy for any prior malignancy (e.g., adjuvant supraclavicular fossa radiotherapy for breast cancer; neck radiotherapy for lymphoma) to allow delivery of a radical radiotherapy dose to a new head and neck cancer.
Post-operative or definitive PBT for benign tumours requiring radiotherapy to achieve local tumour control, in patients with expected excellent long-term survival, without life-limiting comorbidities reducing life expectancy to less than five years, to reduce late toxicity and radiation-induced malignancy risk; including but not limited to:
- Pleomorphic adenomas
- Carotid body tumours
- Desmoid fibromatosis
- Giant cell tumour of bone