Modern diagnostic examinations: MRI and PET/CT.
Using innovative procedures, we prevent the risk of damage to the heart and lungs. We have increased the chance of recovery and good quality of life for women after treatment. At present, it is possible to cure up to 90% of women.
We have introduced innovative treatment procedures which have gained worldwide recognition and have been included in official treatment protocols of the Alliance of top oncology centers. It enables patients to lead the life they were used to prior to treatment.
Our results show that we can now successfully treat up to 99% of patients with prostate cancer if detected at an early stage. Up to 97% of patients have no complaints regarding incontinence and impotence and remain sexually active.
Thanks to our innovative approach, we are able to deliver maximum radiation to the tumor and simultaneously minimise exposure of the healthy parts of the lungs, the heart and the spinal cord to radiation. The risk of the emergence of respiratory and cardiac complications is thus significantly reduced.
Proton therapy opens up entirely new ways of irradiating patients with so far very difficult-to-treat tumours that are located, e.g., near the optic nerve, auditory nerve, or spinal cord. It can thus considerably affect patients’ quality of life already during treatment and also after its completion.
A new approach to the treatment of tumours in selected organs in the gastrointestinal tract where the use of radiation has so far been complicated and risky. Thanks to the targeting of the proton beam directly at the tumour, we considerably reduce side effects related to exposure of the surrounding organs, in particular, the heart, liver, kidneys and urinary bladder, to radiation.
The proton beam can, thanks to its unique properties, irradiate the tumorous lesion with great precision and at the same time minimise exposure of the healthy parts of the liver and the surrounding organs to radiation. This makes it possible to minimise the risk of damage to the kidneys, intestines and the spinal cord.
Proton therapy is the only treatment that can significantly mitigate the risk of damage to the vision, hearing and cognitive functions thanks to the substantial reduction of structures in the tumor.
It is our priority to achieve excellent treatment results and speed up the process of returning the child to a normal and happy life. Today, over 80% of paediatric patients are successfully cured.
The price of treatment is individual and depends on the treatment regimen and/or the selected number of fractions as determined by our physicians. Based on the review of your medical documentation, we are able to confirm the number of fractions you will likely need and the cost of treatment before you come to Prague for a consultation. The assessment is free.
The Proton Therapy Center has concluded contracts with Czech health insurance companies, we also cooperate with Slovak and foreign insurance companies. If you are a citizen of the European Union and your insurance company is not one of our contractual partners, we will assist you in negotiating the approval of your treatment with us on the basis of current applicable legislation.
If none of the options above reflect your situation, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you in finding the most suitable course of action for you. You can e-mail us at patient@ptc.cz or call us at +420 222 999 000.
Protons target the tumor directly, which allows us to protect healthy tissues and organs from adverse effects. Therefore, proton therapy ensures a high chance of healing and a good quality of life during and after treatment.
We offer examinations not only to our cancer patients, but also to those who have a referral from other clinics or hospitals. The Proton Therapy Center in Prague offers magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography in combination with computed tomography (PET/CT). The wait time is typically short.
You can learn more here.
At the Proton Therapy Center, we use the Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) technology, which allows for precise targeting and distribution of the proton beam dose. At present, it represents the absolute pinnacle of proton therapy technology. Pencil beam scanning irradiates the target area (tumor) with millimetre precision, thus minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs. PBS increases patients' chance of recovery and good quality of life after treatment. Treatment outcomes achieved by the Proton Therapy Center team have in the long term ranked us at the leading edge among proton centers.
At the Proton Therapy Center we focus on the treatment of patients with such types of cancer for which proton radiotherapy is a globally recognised and recommended treatment. We most frequently treat patients diagnosed with:
Part of the Proton Therapy Center is also the Department of Radiodiagnostics and Nuclear Medicine. In addition to treatment, patients can undergo diagnostic examinations such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography in combination with computed tomography (PET/CT).
We provide an individual approach and endeavour to meet your physical and psychological needs to the fullest. We offer optimal time and attention and take pride in guiding you personally throughout the treatment process. Our service is based on trust, respect and interpersonal relationships.
Since first opening in 2012, we have treated over 6,000 patients from 50 countries, who have travelled to Prague for its high-quality treatment. All of our patients, both from the Czech Republic and abroad, consistently affirm that the treatment received, the quality of the provided healthcare, our patient-friendly approach, and the clinic’s maximum level of comfort make the Prague Proton Therapy Center a unique and trustworthy healthcare institution.
The entrance to the Proton Therapy Center is located in the Nemocnice Na Bulovce hospital complex, between Ústav radiační onkologie (Institute of Radiation Oncology – Building 16) and Klinika pneumologie a hrudní chirurgie (Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery Clinic – Building 4, the so-called “Chateau”).
Address
Proton Therapy Center Czech s.r.o.
Budínova 2437/1a
Postal Code 180 00 Prague 8
By public transport
Bulovka stop
By car
If you have a navigation device, you can enter the GPS coordinates: 50.1171363, 14.4646944.
Entrances to the Nemocnice Na Bulovce hospital complex:
Parking
Visitor parking is located right by the main entrance to the Proton Center, in the Nemocnice Na Bulovce hospital complex. After the first 30 minutes, parking fees apply.
For greater convenience, patients who come for regular treatments can prepay for an entry permit. The sensors at the gate will read your license plate number and will open automatically every time you visit.
The price for a 30-day entry permit is CZK 300. We will be happy to help you fill out the request at the main reception desk.
Processing your request may take several days, so please submit it early.
Reception:
Data Mailbox
uckvfwm
Proton Therapy Center Czech s.r.o.
Budínova 2437/1a
180 00 Praha 8
(Nemocnice Na Bulovce hospital complex)
Healthcare Section:
Chief nurse – Mgr. Michaela Čekanová
+420 222 999 057
michaela.cekanova@ptc.cz
Diagnostics Reception:
MR: +420 222 999 070
PET/CT: +420 222 999 046
Economics Department:
Public Relations and Marketing:
Mgr. Kateřina Krejbichová, DiS.
+420 222 999 058
marketing@ptc.cz
Client Service and Patient Care:
Information regarding suitability for proton therapy: +420 222 999 000
E-mail: patient@ptc.cz
Commissioner for Personal Data Protection:
Mgr. Kateřina Krejbichová, DiS.
+420 222 999 058
katerina.krejbichova@ptc.cz
Human Resources:
Compliments, Ideas, Comments, and Complaints:
How
proton therapy works
Proton therapy is an effective, accurate, and gentle cancer treatment method with minimal side effects. Thanks to the precise targeting of the proton beam directly to the tumor, the occurrence of side effects is significantly reduced. This gives proton therapy patients a chance to enjoy a quality life even after cancer treatment without an increased risk of late toxicity, which can appear several years after irradiation (10, 15, or even 20 years).
The goal of modern oncological treatment is to ensure the maximum chance of recovery for patients while minimising adverse effects related to the treatment. Currently, this can be achieved by proton therapy. Unlike conventional radiotherapy, which uses photons for tumor cell irradiation and destruction, proton therapy is more advanced and uses protons. These particles give proton therapy its many advantages. Compared to conventional radiotherapy, the most significant advantage is its accuracy and ability to protect healthy tissues.
The commonly used photon beam goes through the body and emits a significant portion of its energy in the regions in front of and behind the tumor.
Protons have a certain physical property called the Bragg peak, which means they emit significantly lower amounts of energy on their way to the tumor, thus minimising their impact on healthy tissues behind the tumor.
Few patients are aware of the complexity of the technology hidden below the Proton Therapy Center, which ultimately allows us to treat cancer gently. Protons, the positively charged elementary nuclei of the hydrogen atom, are accelerated in the cyclotron to approximately half the speed of light. This provides them with energy to destroy tumours up to 30 centimetres deep. Then the protons are directed via a strong magnetic field into a very narrow beam and transferred to the tumour with high precision. As protons impact tumour tissue, they release energy, ionise, and damage the DNA of the affected cell. When the protons damage the tumour repeatedly, the cancer cells stop dividing or immediately die.
Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) marks the exact distribution of the proton beam dose and is currently the absolute peak in proton therapy technology. PBS irradiates the target area with millimeter accuracy with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs. With this irradiation method, the thin (pencil) beam is directed to the appropriate point of the target volume by means of a magnetic field. Highly precise control of this magnetic field achieves gradual irradiation of the entire tumor site.
To illustrate how PBS works, imagine the task of colouring in a circle on a piece of paper with a pencil. As you fill in the circle, you will focus on making sure that you do not cross the borders. PBS also focuses on staying within the boundaries of the area being treated. That is why side effects with proton therapy are minimal.
All you
need to know
You need the correct information to make the right treatment choice for you. Our physicians have many years of experience in radiotherapy. Moreover, they are experienced in both standard (photon) and proton radiation therapy; therefore, they will be able to answer all your questions pertaining to your decision on your treatment.
Keep in mind that your decision will significantly affect your future life. Our physicians are prepared to answer all of your questions related to PROTON THERAPY; therefore, do not hesitate to contact us immediately.
In order for our medical team to assess a patient for suitability, we require some medical information from you. Your treatment coordinator will inform you of exactly what information we require. Usually, we will also request to see scans, such as an MRI, CT or PET scan. This information can be requested from the hospital or clinic and is often given to the patient on a CD. We can provide you with login details to upload the CD to our secure server. Alternatively, you can mail it to us.
Any information you already have about your diagnosis and previous treatments is very helpful and it is a good idea to provide us with as much information as possible in your initial enquiry. Your case will then be reviewed by our medical team at the daily indication board meeting. Your treatment coordinator will get back to you with the outcome, or possibly a request for more information if the oncologists require it to make their final decision.
You can send your medical documentation for assessment of the suitability of proton therapy by email to patient@ptc.cz. Alternatively, you can contact our treatment coordinators, who are prepared to answer all of your questions related to proton therapy. You can call them at +420 222 999 000.
You do not need to travel to Prague for the assessment.
Unfortunately, proton therapy cannot be administered if you have an implanted pacemaker. Similarly, prostate cancer patients with metal hip replacements also cannot undergo proton therapy cancer treatment.
Proton therapy cannot be used to treat the following diagnoses: small cell lung carcinoma, skin tumors (such as melanoma), blood (such as leukemia, except for CNS leukemia), biliary duct, stomach, intestines, kidneys, urinary bladder, reproductive organs, selected tumors of the central nervous system, and generalised diseases with metastases.
When you come to Prague for treatment, you will first have a consultation to discuss the side effects and outcomes of treatment in your specific case, as well as the concrete treatment plan. The doctor also explains what to expect during and after the treatment. Finally, all of your questions are answered.
The first stage of treatment involves the diagnostic scans here at the Proton Therapy Center (MRI and/or CT, preparation of the fixation device, etc.). Precise treatment planning is crucial for treatment success. Therefore, a team of clinical physicists and physicians prepares a radiation plan tailored to each patient according to which proton therapy will take place. The irradiation plan also determines from which directions and with what intensity the proton beam will irradiate the tumor. This process is very complex and it typically takes one week to finalise before treatment can commence.
The treatment is outpatient, and you come to the Proton Therapy Center for radiation and regular check-ups during treatment. One visit takes about 60 minutes while the radiation is a matter of a few minutes. Prior to each radiation session, we carefully check your position using X-ray scans and carry out certain other checks necessary to commence irradiating. At least once a week, you undergo check-ups with the physician who will go through the treatment progress with you and check your condition.
Individual treatment doses are usually given each day, Monday to Friday. Treatment cannot be interrupted except for serious health reasons.
We employ an individualised approach to everybody and attempt to accommodate your physical and mental needs as much as we can. We devote time and attention to you, and we boast an individual approach throughout the treatment process. Our services are based on trust, respect, and interpersonal relations.
When treatment finishes, our support doesn't. Before returning home, you will be automatically provided with all your medical reports regarding your treatment in Prague. We also continue an open line of communication with you to guarantee optimal continuum of care.
The patient is guided through the entire process by their personal coordinator – patient manager – assigned to them after the initial consultation. Their coordinator helps them deal with the paperwork and all the formalities necessary for the commencement of proton therapy. The patient manager also accompanies the patient to their examinations, makes appointments with physicians, is always available, and you can turn to him or her at any time with confidence. The coordinator will be your partner, advisor, and confidant.
In most healthcare facilities, it is not a common occurrence that a patient has a dedicated physician. At our center, we pride ourselves on the fact that each patient has a single attending physician starting from the initial consultation until the end of treatment. We make sure that the physician has sufficient time for their patients, pays enough attention to them, listens to them gladly, and explains how proton therapy works. Our physicians have many years of experience in radiotherapy. Moreover, they are experienced in both standard (photon) and proton radiation therapy and are prepared to answer all of your questions.
Reception staff will be pleased to provide you with full details of other services offered.
Children’s Lounge
Children and their parents are offered the use of the children's lounge which is full of toys whilst awaiting an examination or treatment.
Relaxation Room
We offer patients and their family members use of the relaxation room. Here you will have complete privacy to rest and relax. The room is equipped with a telephone, TV, Wi-Fi connection, coffee maker and minibar.
Refreshments
In our reception area you can buy snacks, coffee, tea and various other drinks. We will prepare hot chocolate for children. Free water is available at the bar all day.
Wi-Fi Connection
The main reception will be pleased to provide you with the login and access password to the PTC Wi-Fi network.
You can contact our treatment coordinators via: