What is the Douglas Cyclotron Unit?

The Douglas Cyclotron Unit is a separate clinical facility within the CCO Trust and is the only proton therapy facility of its kind in the United Kingdom. The cyclotron was originally sponsored by the Medical Research Council (for neutron therapy trials). In 1989, however, funding from the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, Cancer Reasearch Campaign and local charities, led to the introduction of treatment for tumours of the eye. Since 1992, the facility has been operated as a part of the CCO and has now treated over 1000 patients.

Where do patients come from?

Patients come from all over the United Kingdom and Ireland and even as far afield as mainland Europe and other Continents. All patients requiring proton therapy for eye disease, however, are referred to the unit by four eye tumour specialists, from the following ophthalmological centres;

• London (Moorfields Eye Hospital & St Bartholomews Hospital)
• Liverpool (St Paul's Eye Unit)
• Sheffield (Royal Hallamshire Hospital)
• Glasgow (Gartnavel General Hospital)

Which diseases is it designed to treat?

The Cyclotron Unit is specifically concerned with treating cancers within the eye. The most common lesions treated here are Choroidal Melanomas. In recent years, however, this has been extended to include Choroidal Haemangiomas, Iris Melanomas and Conjunctival Melanomas. A pilot study is also currently underway, with the aim of investigating the success of low doses of protons in the treatment of Age Related Macular Degeneration (wet-type). This study is in collaboration with St Paul's Eye Unit.

Does the treatment work?

Yes. Treatment works by sterilising the tumour cells so that they can no longer reproduce. The results obviously vary depending on the size of the lesion but for small lesions the success rate is extremely high. Please note, however, that larger lesions do carry a greater risk of complications.

As a patient what exactly happens?

If you have recently been refered and are unsure of the process from start to finish, please follow this Guide

Models of proton therapy

We have been working in conjunction with the University of Manchester to prepare some Virtual Reality Models of Proton Therapy.