Proton Beam Therapy—One of the Most Precise Treatments for Cancers

Indore,: Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC), the first and only proton therapy centre in South Asia and the Middle East and India’s first JCI accredited Cancer hospital, shares detailed insights and facts about the most successful focused therapy for cancer – Proton Beam Therapy. True to the Apollo pillars of expertise and excellence,Proton Beam therapy with focused and trained cancer management teams provides optimal solutions to treat cancer. Dr. Sapna Nangia – Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist& Dr Anil D Cruz is Director – Oncology Services, Apollo Cancer Centresspoke on the Proton Cancer Therapy at the conference.

Proton therapy is a radiation therapy that uses tiny particles called protons as excellent cancer cell killers. Protons deliver their energy but do not damage healthy tissue in comparison to photon therapy. Therefore, a higher dose of radiation can be targeted at the tumor without affecting many normal healthy cells.

Proton therapy can be effective in treating many types of tumors, including tumors of the brain, head and neck, central nervous system, lung, prostate, and gastrointestinal system. Proton therapy is often the preferred option for treating solid tumors in children because protons can be controlled precisely so there is less radiation to normal tissues, helping prevent serious complications and lessening the chance of secondary tumors.

Proton Therapy has multiple advantages that targets tumours and cancer cells with precision and minimal exit dose thus reducing overall toxicity. It also reduces the probability and/or severity of short- and long-term side effects on surrounding healthy tissues and organs. It is favorable to be used to treat recurrent tumors, even in patients who have already received radiation.

Commenting on the therapy and its uses, Dr. Sapna Nangia – Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist, said, “It is quite unknown but the advancements of proton technology as a treatment option for cancer began in the 1940s which has today developed to become Proton Beam Therapy. The best way to understand how proton therapy works is to understand the proton accelerator, or the cyclotron/synchrotron, and the beam delivery system. At Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, we have the latest PBS technology which enables us to deliver highly focused treatments to each tumor, and each tumor is treated with protons, spot- by- spot and layer-by-layer. It has been proven to be successful in curing or controlling many cancers when used appropriately.”

Dr Anil D’cruz – Director of Oncology at Apollo Cancer Centers, Navi Mumbai said, “The global incidence of cancer is increasing exponentially over the years from 12 million in 2012 to 18 million in 2018 & 19.3 million in 2020. Cancer registries in India are showing a similar trend. The 5 most common cancers in India are amenable to prevention & early detection. Apollo Cancer Centers are giving a thrust to cancer care by initiating evidence based, organ site speciality services, tumour boards backed by excellent infrastructure & clinicians of national & international standing to ensure the best outcomes for patients who come to us”

Apollo Proton Cancer Centre(APCC) has a fully integrated treatment suite that offers the most advanced treatment in surgical, radiation and medical procedures. Apollo brings together a powerful team of clinicians renowned globally in cancer care. With a strong approach in treating cancer, APCC has an experienced multi-disciplinary team of highly skilled clinicians focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for their patients with utmost care.

APCC is the first Proton Therapy facility in this part of the world, serving patients from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. It has a fully integrated treatment suite that offers the most advanced treatment in surgical, radiation, and medical procedures. Apollo brings together a powerful team of renowned clinicians in cancer care. With a strong approach in treating cancer, APCC has an experienced multi-disciplinary team of highly skilled clinicians focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for their patients with utmost care.