Treatment preparation
The first stage of your treatment is ‘simulation’, which is basically a test-run or mock-up of your treatment, without actually having the treatment. It helps to prepare you for your treatment and provides all the information we need to plan your treatment accurately.
The simulation session is divided into 3 main parts:
- Making your mask and mouth piece (these ensure your treatment is accurate)
- Preparation for your treatment, including taking various measurements
- A discussion with your clinical oncologist
The treatment preparation procedure you receive depends upon which of the following you have:
- A growth on the iris
- Clips placed on the back of your eye
- Other tumours treated with proton therapy
A growth on the iris (the coloured part of the eye)
In this case, the area we need to treat is usually visible, which simplifies the preparation of your treatment programme. After your mask is made, we will take some photographs of your eye and set the treatment beam, which are then used to plan your treatment.
Clips placed at the back of the eye
Before coming to Clatterbridge your ophthalmologist will have placed several tiny marker clips on the back of your eye, which are completely harmless, and help to mark the boundary of your treatment area.
They allow us to build up a 3D model image of your eye using X-ray photos and plan the best treatment possible.
Other tumours treated with proton therapy
Over the years, other tumour sites have been shown to be treated successfully with The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre’s proton beams. Tumours of the ciliary body (muscles around the lens) and the conjunctiva (inside of lids and white of the eye) are now a significant part of the proton treatments we undertake.
