Worldwide Medical Services UK logo | Worldwide medical services UK
Book Now

Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Worldwide Medical Services UK?

We’re a network of oncology specialists connecting cancer patients — including those based in California and Florida — with leading specialists and treatment centres around the world, with each patient’s case reviewed individually and matched with the most appropriate treatment centre and oncologist for their condition.

Proton beam therapy — sometimes referred to as proton medical care — is an advanced form of radiotherapy. Instead of using standard X-rays, it uses charged particles (protons) to target a tumour with a high level of precision, which can reduce the radiation dose reaching healthy tissue nearby. It’s one of the treatment pathways we help patients from California, Florida, and elsewhere in the US access with each case assessed by our experts and allocated to the treatment centre and oncologist best suited to it, wherever that may be.

The main difference is precision. Conventional radiotherapy can affect some tissue beyond the tumour as the beam passes through the body. Proton beam therapy is designed to release most of its energy directly at the tumour site, which may lower the risk of side effects to surrounding organs.

Yes, in certain cases. Public healthcare systems in some countries refer a number of patients each year to specific proton therapy centres. Whether it’s the right option depends on individual assessment, so this is something to discuss directly with your treating oncologist.

It tends to be most useful where precision really matters — for example, in cases close to sensitive structures like the brain, spine, or in children, where reducing radiation exposure to healthy, developing tissue is a priority. Suitability is always confirmed through individual clinical assessment.

No. It isn’t approved or appropriate for every cancer type in the UK, and in many cases standard radiotherapy remains the more suitable choice. This is decided on a case-by-case basis by your treating oncologist.

Sessions are generally painless and take around an hour, usually five days a week over several weeks. The proton beam is delivered from outside the body using specialist equipment.

This varies by individual treatment plan, but courses are typically spread across several weeks, with daily sessions on weekdays. Your consultant will give you an exact schedule once your treatment plan is confirmed.

No — the treatment itself is not painful. Patients may experience side effects during or after a course, similar to those associated with other forms of radiotherapy, though often milder due to the precision of the treatment.

Yes, self-referral is possible for private consultations. That said, we’d always recommend having your existing medical records and diagnosis details ready, since these help our specialists assess your case properly.

There are two main routes: through your existing oncologist if you’re already under specialist care, or as a self-pay/insured patient by contacting us directly and completing a self-referral form, which usually requires supporting medical documents. For patients in California, Florida, or other US states, self-referral is the usual starting point. If your case needs urgent attention — emergency cancer treatments, emergency oncology tests, or emergency oncology treatments — our team prioritises the review so you’re connected with an appropriate specialist as quickly as possible.

Many major insurance providers do cover it, but this depends on your specific policy. We work with insurers directly and can liaise with them on your behalf if you share your provider’s name and membership details.

Yes, self-pay treatment is available for UK and international patients. Our team can walk you through the costs and payment process before you commit to anything.

Yes, this is a core part of what we do. We regularly support patients travelling from US states such as California and Florida, helping arrange the practical side of care including accommodation and interpreter support where needed, alongside the clinical treatment pathway.

CAR T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy where a patient’s own T-cells are collected, genetically modified in a lab to better recognise and attack cancer cells, then reintroduced into the body. It’s FDA-approved for certain blood cancers, including some lymphomas, multiple myeloma, and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

No, though a low dose of chemotherapy is sometimes given beforehand to prepare the body for the CAR T-cells. The therapy itself works differently from traditional chemotherapy, using the immune system rather than cytotoxic drugs as the primary mechanism.

Yes, this treatment requires a hospital stay so the care team can monitor you closely for side effects following the infusion.

This starts with a proper clinical review of your diagnosis, scans, and medical history by our oncology specialists and tumour specialists. Our team assesses each case individually and will recommend the pathway — whether that’s proton therapy, immunotherapy, or another approach — that best fits your specific situation. This process is the same whether you’re contacting us from the UK, California, Florida, or anywhere else.

We aim to move quickly once we have your details and any relevant medical documents, though exact timelines depend on your case and specialist availability. Our team will give you a realistic estimate once they’ve reviewed your enquiry.

Alongside your consultant oncologist, you’ll typically be supported by radiographers, oncology nurses, medical physicists, and a dedicated patient care coordinator throughout your treatment.

Yes. For patients travelling from outside the local area or abroad, we help coordinate practical arrangements such as accommodation, so the focus can stay on treatment rather than logistics.

Yes, personal interpreter support can be arranged for patients who need it, so language isn’t a barrier to understanding your care.

You can reach us through the contact form on our website or via WhatsApp, and one of our Patient Administration Advisors will respond as soon as possible during our operating hours. Urgent enquiries are flagged and prioritised.

Our main advisory support runs during set daytime hours Monday to Friday. For anything urgent outside these hours, we’d always recommend contacting your local emergency services or existing care team first.

Ongoing follow-up is coordinated as part of your overall treatment plan, with your consultant and care team advising on next steps and monitoring based on your individual case.

Yes, our team aims to be upfront about costs at the consultation stage, so you have clear information to make an informed decision before proceeding.

If further assessment is needed, your specialist team will explain what additional tests or opinions are required and talk you through any changes to the recommended pathway.

In many cases, yes — our concierge support can help with accommodation arrangements for accompanying family members. It’s worth raising this early with our team so it can be planned properly.

Yes — brain tumours are one of the areas where proton therapy’s precision is especially valuable, since it can help limit radiation exposure to healthy brain tissue surrounding the tumour. Patients from California, Florida, and other US states can be assessed and referred through our network for this treatment.

A range of brain and neurological tumour types can be reviewed for suitability, though eligibility always depends on the tumour’s location, size, and stage, confirmed through individual assessment.

Children are often considered strong candidates for proton therapy specifically because their developing brains benefit from reduced radiation exposure to healthy tissue, subject to individual clinical review.

It helps to bring recent scans (MRI/CT), a summary of your diagnosis, and any specialist reports you already have, so our team can give you a clear and informed assessment.

Timelines vary widely depending on tumour type and treatment plan. Your consultant will set out a schedule specific to your case once assessment is complete.

Yes, this is something we support regularly. Sharing your existing diagnosis, scans, and reports allows our specialists to review your case and offer an independent opinion.

Yes, it’s one of the areas where proton therapy is often considered, given the close proximity of head and neck tumours to sensitive structures like the eyes, salivary glands, and spinal cord. We help patients from California and Florida access assessment and referral for this treatment pathway.

The main potential benefit is reducing radiation dose to nearby healthy structures, which may help lower certain side effects compared with standard radiotherapy — though this depends on the individual case.

This depends heavily on the exact tumour location and treatment plan. Your specialist team will talk you through expected side effects and support options specific to your case during consultation.

You can request a second opinion by contacting us with your existing diagnosis and scans, and one of our specialists will review your case and advise on suitable options.

This depends on the individual case — some patients need a combination of surgery and radiotherapy, while others may be treated with radiotherapy alone. Your specialist team will confirm the right approach after assessment.

Once you share your diagnosis and available scans, our team will prioritise arranging a specialist review as quickly as possible.

A base of skull tumour develops at the base of the skull, an area close to the brain, nerves, and blood vessels, which makes precise treatment particularly important. Our network’s skull specialists can review cases referred from California, Florida, and other US states.

Because of how close this region is to critical structures, precision-focused treatments like proton therapy are frequently reviewed as an option to help protect surrounding tissue.

This depends entirely on the individual case — tumour type, size, and location all play a role. Your specialist will discuss whether surgery, radiotherapy, or a combination is most appropriate for you.

It typically requires a multidisciplinary team, often including neurosurgeons, ENT specialists, and oncologists working together, given the complexity of the area involved.

Symptoms vary widely by tumour location and can include headaches, vision or hearing changes, or balance issues. Any persistent or unexplained symptoms should be assessed by a doctor promptly.

Initial review of your diagnosis, scans, and medical history can often begin remotely. In-person consultation and treatment planning would follow once your case has been reviewed.

It can be considered in certain cases, particularly where reducing radiation exposure to the heart or lungs is a clinical priority. Suitability depends on individual assessment. Patients from California and Florida can be reviewed and referred through the same process as UK patients.

Depending on stage and diagnosis, this can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy (including proton therapy where appropriate), and targeted or hormone therapies.

You can reach out with your diagnosis details and existing scans or pathology reports, and our team will connect you with an appropriate specialist for review.

Suitability isn’t determined by which side is affected but by the tumour’s exact location relative to the heart and lungs, which is assessed individually for each patient.

This depends on the recommended treatment type and specialist/centre availability. Your care coordinator will confirm a realistic timeline once your plan is finalised.

Yes, it’s one of the areas where proton beam radiation may be reviewed, particularly where limiting radiation dose to the heart and healthy lung tissue is important. Lung cancer patients from California and Florida can be assessed for suitability through our referral process.

Tumour location, size, stage, and overall lung function are all considered as part of the assessment process.

Yes — you can contact us directly with your diagnosis and scans, and our team will prioritise a specialist review based on the urgency of your situation.

Typically no — treatment is usually delivered on an outpatient basis, meaning patients can return home after each session.

Your overall lung function and general health are part of the clinical assessment, but this is a conversation to have directly with your specialist rather than something ruled on in advance.

Yes, prostate cancer is one of the more established uses of proton therapy internationally, valued for its precision near sensitive surrounding structures. Patients from California and Florida are among those we regularly help access this treatment pathway.

Precision targeting may help reduce radiation exposure to nearby organs, such as the bladder and bowel, though outcomes and suitability vary by individual case.

The best first step is a consultation where our specialists can review your diagnosis, PSA levels, and any existing scans to assess your suitability.

Typically no — sessions are usually outpatient, meaning you can go home the same day after each treatment.

Both are established options, and the right choice depends on factors like cancer stage, age, and personal preference. Your specialist can talk through the pros and cons relevant to your specific case.

Many patients do continue with daily activities during treatment, since sessions are relatively short and outpatient-based, though this varies by individual and should be discussed with your care team.

Yes, spinal tumours are another area where proton therapy’s precision is often valuable, given how close the spinal cord is to the treatment area. We support spine cancer patients from California and Florida through the same assessment and referral process.

Sarcoma is a cancer that develops in bone or soft tissue. Treatment usually involves a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and sometimes chemotherapy, depending on the type and location.

It’s generally considered when reducing radiation exposure to the spinal cord or nearby critical structures is especially important for that patient’s case.

Sarcomas are relatively rare compared with other cancer types, which is one reason specialist assessment and referral to experienced centres is often recommended.

This typically includes recent MRI or CT scans along with any existing pathology reports, which help our specialists build a full picture of the case during initial review.

Children’s bodies are still developing, so reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissue is particularly important to help protect long-term growth and organ function. This applies whether the referral comes from within the UK or from families in California, Florida, or elsewhere in the US.

We help coordinate practical support for families, including accommodation and travel arrangements, alongside the clinical treatment plan itself.

A range of paediatric cancers, particularly those near the brain, spine, or other sensitive areas, are commonly reviewed for suitability — always based on individual specialist assessment.

This depends on the child’s age and ability to stay still during treatment. Younger children sometimes require sedation, and this would be discussed and planned with the care team in advance.

Families are supported by the wider care team throughout, with clear communication at each stage and practical help with logistics, so parents aren’t navigating this alone.

It can be considered in select gastrointestinal cancer cases, particularly where limiting radiation exposure to surrounding organs is a clinical priority. Patients from California and Florida can be reviewed for suitability through the same referral pathway as UK patients

You can contact our team with your diagnosis and imaging, and we’ll arrange a review with an appropriate oncology specialist.

Depending on the specific type and stage, treatment can involve surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, often used in combination as part of a personalised plan.

As with most cancers, earlier assessment generally allows for a wider range of treatment options, so prompt specialist review is encouraged once symptoms or a diagnosis arise.

Yes — CAR T-cell therapy is FDA-approved for certain relapsed lymphomas, and it’s one of the treatment options our network of specialists can assess patients for, including those referred from California and Florida.

Depending on the type and stage, treatment can include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, or stem cell transplant, alongside newer options like immunotherapy.

Eligibility depends on factors like lymphoma type, prior treatment history, and overall health, all of which are reviewed individually by a specialist during assessment.

Recovery time varies by individual and depends on how the body responds to treatment. Patients are closely monitored in hospital initially, with follow-up care continuing afterward as needed.