OVERSEAS

For International Patients

Conditions for Acceptance of International Patients at the Proton Beam Therapy Center, University of Tsukuba Hospital

The Proton Beam Therapy Center at the University of Tsukuba Hospital accepts international patients who meet the following general conditions:

  • Patients are in good overall physical condition.
  • Patients are able to travel safely to Japan.
  • Patients are expected to have a life expectancy of at least one year.

The diseases and conditions listed below may be eligible for proton beam therapy. However, the final decision regarding treatment eligibility will be made on an individual basis after a careful review of medical records and imaging studies.
Patients requiring hospitalization must also agree to comply with the hospital’s admission policies and regulations.

Types of Cancer and Diseases Eligible for Proton Beam Therapy

Brain Tumors (Including Benign Tumors)

  • Patients must be in good general health and without impaired consciousness, regardless of the specific disease type.

Head and Neck Cancers

  • Nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers (maxillary sinus cancer, ethmoid sinus cancer, etc., including malignant melanoma)
  • Skull base tumors (chordoma, chondrosarcoma)
  • Olfactory neuroblastoma
  • Retinoblastoma

Lung Cancer

  • Stage I disease (proton beam therapy alone)
  • Patients with good pulmonary function and no interstitial pneumonia

Mediastinal Tumors

  • Thymoma, thymic carcinoma, and other mediastinal tumors without extensive invasion of critical organs (e.g., the heart, major blood vessels, or bronchi)

Esophageal Cancer

  • Stage I, II, and III esophageal cancer (proton beam therapy combined with chemotherapy)

Liver Cancer and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

  • One to three lesions
  • Preserved liver function (Child-Pugh Class A)
  • No jaundice or ascites

Prostate Cancer

  • Patients without lymph node metastasis or distant organ metastasis

Malignant Lymphoma

  • Malignant lymphoma requiring radiation therapy, particularly in younger patients, including Hodgkin lymphoma

Pediatric and Young Adult Cancers (patients up to their 30s)

  • All cancer types may be considered.
  • Patients must be in stable clinical condition.

Metastatic Tumors

  • Liver metastases (up to three metastatic lesions)
  • Lung metastases (one or two metastatic lesions)
  • Lymph node metastases (metastases confined to a single nodal region, such as the thoracic, abdominal, or pelvic area)
  • Bone metastases (selected cases requiring radiation therapy)

Benign Tumors and Non-Malignant Conditions

  • Cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM), hemangioma, desmoid tumors, and other conditions requiring radiation therapy

Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors

  • Malignant tumors of the extremities
  • Sacral chordoma
  • Inoperable liposarcoma, etc.

Important Notice: Please Contact Us Through a Medical coordination company (a guarantor for "medical stay visas")

If you live overseas, meet the medical criteria above, and wish to receive proton beam therapy, you must contact us through an officially registered Medical Coordinator or Travel Agency (acting as a Medical coordination company (a guarantor for "medical stay visas") ).

For more details regarding registered guarantee agencies, please refer to the following webpage:
For International Patients Residing Overseas Without Japanese Public Health Insurance:
https://www.hosp.tsukuba.ac.jp/outpatient/overseas/

Proton Beam Therapy Center, University of Tsukuba Hospital

2-1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8576, Japan
Tel: +81-29-853-7100
Fax: +81-29-853-7102