When Particle Therapy May Not Be Suitable

When Other Treatment May Be More Appropriate

• Widespread metastatic disease requiring systemic treatment. Radiation to one area cannot treat cancer throughout the body.
• Rapid clinical deterioration or an urgent need for local emergency care. Stabilizing the patient takes priority.
• Poor performance status or inability to tolerate travel and treatment. Performance status means how well a person can manage daily activity.
• Severe organ dysfunction that makes treatment unsafe. The team needs to know how well major organs are working.
• No clearly targetable tumor area. Local radiation needs an area it can treat.
• Prior radiation dose making further radiation too risky. Nearby tissues may not tolerate another course.
• Surgery, systemic therapy, conventional radiation, or supportive care may be more appropriate. The purpose of treatment and its likely benefit matter.

Medical Stability and Urgent Local Care

If the cancer is progressing rapidly or the patient is not medically stable enough to travel, continuing care locally may be safer and more practical.

Discuss urgent symptoms and current treatment with the treating team. Overseas review should not delay needed local care.

Discussing Your Remaining Options

Ask what treatment could improve tumor control, symptoms or daily life, and whether travel adds a meaningful benefit. Hospital review can address these questions once the immediate care needs are met.