Proton Therapy Center Prague

The Proton Therapy Center Prague (PTC) is one of the largest and most technically advanced proton therapy facilities in Europe, located in Prague, Czech Republic. Opened in 2012, the center was designed from the ground up as a dedicated proton beam therapy facility, equipped with the latest IBA (Ion Beam Applications) cyclotron technology and multiple treatment rooms with pencil beam scanning capability. With 60 beds for inpatient care and a capacity to treat over 2,000 patients annually, PTC has rapidly become a European leader in proton therapy for cancer treatment. The center holds dual accreditation from Joint Commission International (JCI) and the Czech national accreditation body SAK, confirming its adherence to the highest international standards of patient safety, clinical quality, and radiation safety. PTC is also certified by the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) and participates in international proton therapy research collaborations. Proton Therapy is the center's core treatment modality, utilizing the unique physical properties of proton beams to deliver highly targeted radiation doses to tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. Unlike conventional X-ray radiation therapy, proton beams deposit their maximum energy at a precise depth (the Bragg peak) and then stop, dramatically reducing radiation exposure to critical structures beyond the tumor. This is particularly advantageous for tumors near vital organs such as the brain, spinal cord, heart, and eyes. The center's pencil beam scanning (PBS) technology represents the most advanced form of proton therapy, enabling intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) that conforms the radiation dose to the exact three-dimensional shape of the tumor. Treatment planning utilizes advanced CT, MRI, and PET imaging for precise tumor delineation, with image-guided patient positioning systems ensuring millimeter accuracy during each treatment session. Brain Tumors are one of PTC's primary treatment areas, including gliomas, meningiomas, acoustic neuromas, craniopharyngiomas, pituitary tumors, and skull base tumors. Proton therapy's ability to spare adjacent brain tissue makes it the preferred radiation modality for many brain tumor types, particularly in eloquent brain areas controlling speech, movement, and cognition. Pediatric Oncology is a critical focus, as children are especially vulnerable to the long-term side effects of conventional radiation, including growth retardation, cognitive impairment, hearing loss, and secondary cancer development. PTC treats pediatric patients with medulloblastoma, ependymoma, craniopharyngioma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and other childhood cancers, with proton therapy significantly reducing the risk of late effects compared to conventional photon radiation. Head and Neck Cancers including nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, sinonasal, and salivary gland tumors benefit from proton therapy's ability to minimize radiation to the salivary glands, oral cavity, and swallowing structures, reducing the severity of dry mouth, swallowing difficulty, and nutritional problems that commonly affect head and neck cancer patients treated with conventional radiation. Prostate Cancer treatment with proton therapy offers excellent tumor control with reduced risk of side effects to the rectum and bladder compared to conventional radiation techniques. The center offers both standard fractionation and hypofractionated treatment schedules. Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, and Sarcoma are additional tumor types regularly treated at PTC, with proton therapy particularly beneficial for left-sided breast cancer (reducing cardiac radiation exposure), centrally located lung tumors, and sarcomas in challenging anatomical locations. International patients represent a significant proportion of PTC's patient population, with dedicated international coordinators fluent in English, German, Russian, French, Italian, and Arabic. The center provides comprehensive medical tourism services including initial treatment evaluation via telemedicine, visa assistance, airport transfers, accommodation in nearby partner hotels, interpreter services during consultations, and long-term follow-up coordination with referring oncologists. Treatment costs at PTC are typically 30-50% lower than proton therapy centers in Germany, Switzerland, or the United States. PTC is located in Prague's Bubenec district, approximately 20 minutes from Vaclav Havel Prague International Airport and close to the city center.