Best Proton Therapy in India with best results and affordable cost
Did you know that you can minimize the side effects of radiation with proton beam therapy?
Many people who get radiation therapy have side effects such as fatigue, nausea, hair loss, blurry vision, and skin changes. There may be other side effects depending upon the part of the body radiation therapy is given.
Radiation damages healthy cells along with the tumor. The main reason behind the damage to the healthy cell is that the high-energy photon beam rays not only kills the tumor cells ut also pass through the cell and kill the cells behind the tumors.
All these side effects decrease the quality of life during and after the treatment.
With the advancement in technologies, radiation therapy has evolved and the side effects related shortcomings are addressed by advanced proton beam therapy.
Proton therapy uses “protons” to treat cancer with pinpoint accuracy and minimal exit dose (Less or no damage to healthy tissue behind the tumor). This makes proton therapy treatment a preferred choice for patients who don’t want the side effects or for patients whose body is not strong enough to bear the side effects of radiation.
Proton therapy has thus improved the quality of life of the patients during and after the treatment by significantly reducing the side effects.
Let’s understand Mr. Rehman’s child Mustafa’s experience of proton therapy from Muscat, Oman.
Mr. Rehman is a 39-year-old real estate investor in Muscat, Rehman has two kids and a wife. Rehman loves to play football with his kids on holidays.
Three years back, Rehman’s younger son Mustafa (3 years old) got sick and had a persistent headache. Rehman consulted with the nearby pediatrician. The doctor suggested a CT scan. The CT scan revealed the presence of tumor (Astrocytomas) in the brain. After listening to the news of the brain tumor Rehman got shocked
The doctor informed Rehman that surgical removal of the tumor would not be possible because of the location of the tumor. Radiation therapy or Radiosurgery was the only option available.
Rehman wanted the best treatment for his child without any compromise on the outcome. He met with a few radiologists and got an understanding that radiations have their own side effects both in short term and long term. Rehman, therefore, started researching the most advanced treatment options with the least side effects and his search brought him to proton therapy and MedicoExperts.
Rehman read the information regarding proton therapy on the MedicoExperts website and raised an inquiry. He wanted to keenly understand the possibility of treatment with proton beam therapy.
MedicoExperts patient care department got in touch with Rehman, After receiving all the reports MedicoExperts arranged the online video consultation with the empanelled radiologist who was also an expert in proton beam therapy. The doctor explained the treatment protocol and proton beam therapy to Rehman and cleared all his doubts.
After understanding all the aspects of the treatment decided to come to India for the treatment.
After two weeks, Rehman along with Mustafa and his wife Amira came to India for treatment. On the same day, Rehman visited the hospital for Mustafa’s pre-evaluation test.
After analyzing the investigation reports, the doctors decided to give 6 weeks of proton beam radiation therapy. The therapy was performed on an outpatient basis and each session of therapy lasted about 30 min. It was a painless experience for Mustafa. He didn’t feel anything during the treatment.
Mustafa responded very well to the treatment and had no side effects.
Rehman was very happy with the treatment and thanked the doctors and MedicoExperts.
This could be your story as well to win the battle against cancerous and noncancerous tumors with proton beam therapy.
Before we move ahead with how proton beam therapy works, its advantages, the types of tumors its treats, and its cost.
Let’s first understand what a proton beam is.
Proton therapy, also known as proton beam therapy, is a type of radiation treatment that delivers radiation directly to the tumor using a beam of protons.
Instead of using x-rays as in traditional radiation therapy, protons are used to send high-energy beams which transform their energy to the targeted tumors and don’t pass through the tumor.
Therefore, a higher dose of radiation can be targeted at the tumor and the beam kills tumor cells layer by layer without affecting many normal healthy cells.
Let’s understand how proton therapy works.
Proton therapy is a type of advanced radiation therapy that uses protons rather than X-rays.
The beam of energy in traditional radiation therapy enters the body, passes through the tumor, and exits the other side. Beyond the tumor, this “exit dose” of radiation may have an effect on healthy tissue.
Protons, on the other hand, are larger than the particles used in regular radiation. They concentrate more of their power on the tumor.
The protons stop after delivering the energy to the tumor: they do not exit the tumor and enter healthy tissue on the other side.
Proton therapy reduces radiation exposure and potential damage to healthy tissue in sensitive areas like the brain, eyes, spinal cord, heart, major blood vessels, and nerves in this way.
Let’s now understand what to expect while going for proton beam therapy.
How is proton therapy delivered?
Proton beam therapy is performed on an outpatient basis. Proton therapy requires careful planning to ensure that the proton beam reaches its intended target. The length of each treatment will differ depending on the type and stage of the tumor.
Before each session, you may undergo imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI to obtain images of the tumor and surrounding area.
The therapists may draw marks on your body to draw attention to the treatment area, but these are usually only temporary.
The proton therapy is performed in a special room. Typically, a large mechanical arm known as a gantry can move the beam around you as you lie on a table. This allows radiation therapists to treat the tumor from several angles.
You will spend 15 to 30 minutes in the treatment room, depending on the size, location, and the number of tumors.
Positioning for proton beam treatment plays a very critical role. The team may need several minutes to adjust both you and the instruments to ensure that the proton beam reaches the exact location of the tumor.
You must remain completely still on the table during the treatment. The team will work with you to keep you in your current location.
For example, A custom-fitted mask can aid those receiving treatment for brain tumors. Mesh allows patients to see and breathe while wearing the mask.
The therapists will leave the room once you are ready and in position to operate the proton beam machine.
Throughout the treatment, these therapists keep a close eye on the progress of the radiation delivery, as well as on various safety parameters. Therapists also use video cameras to watch and listen to the patient during treatment to ensure that they are safe and comfortable.
The computer turns off the proton beam after the prescribed radiation dose has been delivered, and the technologists re-enter the room to assist the patient in removing the mask or immobilization device.
It only takes a few minutes to complete the treatment. Protons are accelerated and energy is created by a large machine. This energy is focused into the body by the proton beam at the precise depth where the tumor is located. The gantry (donut-shaped device) may move around your body, allowing it to treat the tumor from several angles.
During the procedure, you should not experience any pain or discomfort also you are not able to feel the proton beam as it enters the body and treats the tumor.
Let’s now understand the advantages of proton therapy.
What are the advantages of proton beam therapy?
Proton therapy has many advantages, such as:
- Targets tumors and cancer cells with pinpoint accuracy and minimal exit dose.
- Overall toxicity is reduced.
- Reduces the severity of short and long-term side effects on healthy tissues and organs in the surrounding area.
- Delivers an optimal radiation dose to the tumor with pinpoint accuracy.
- Even in patients who have already had radiation, it can be used to treat recurrent tumors.
- Enhances quality of life while undergoing treatment and afterward.
- For certain types of tumors, it improves long-term, progression-free survival rates.
Now, Let’s understand the types of cancerous and noncancerous tumors that can be treated by proton beam therapy.
What type of cancer can be treated by proton therapy?
Proton therapy is effective in treating many types of tumors, including those of the brain, head and neck, central nervous system, lung, prostate, and gastrointestinal system.
Proton therapy is frequently used to treat solid tumors in children because protons can be precisely controlled, resulting in less radiation to normal tissues, reducing the risk of serious complications and secondary tumors.
For many tumors, proton beam therapy is the preferred treatment option, including:
- Ocular tumors, including intraocular melanomas
- Chordoma and Chondrosarcomas are tumors that approach or are located at the base of the skull.
- Spine tumors – Primary or metastatic
- Hepatocellular cancer – Liver cancer
- Pediatric solid tumors – primary or benign tumors in children
- Brain and spinal cord tumors – Malignant and benign
- Advanced and/or unresectable head and neck cancers such as Cancers of the paranasal sinuses and other accessory sinuses; e.g., adenoid cystic carcinoma, advanced nasopharyngeal cancer, and advanced cancer of the buccal mucosa
- Retroperitoneal sarcomas – occurs in retroperitoneum
- Re-irradiation cases – where radiation to the same site is being considered for the second or third time
There is currently enough evidence available at the above sites to conclude that proton therapy has a clear benefit.
However, many other cancers may also have a benefit when proton therapy is used, especially when compared to conventional X-ray therapy. These include:
- Oesophageal cancers
- Breast Cancer
- Oropharynx Cancer
- Salivary Gland cancers
- Lung Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Sarcomas
- Tumors in the base of the skull
- Benign tumors
Let’s understand the cost of proton therapy.
What is the success rate of proton therapy in India?
Success after radiation therapy depends on the type and stage of cancer treated. In certain cancers like chordomas, brain tumors, or liver cancers, control rates with proton therapy can be as high as 85-90%.
The cost of proton therapy in India ranges from 32500 – 39000 USD (2500000 to 3000000 INR)
In India, the treatment cost is still a third of what hospitals in the United States charge for proton therapy. Insurance plays a significant role in making healthcare more accessible.
Frequently asked questions and patient concerns:
1. Is proton therapy safer than traditional radiation?
Since proton therapy can deliver a high dose to a very specific area with minimal impact on surrounding tissues, which makes it is safer and more effective than conventional radiation therapy.
2. What type of cancer can be treated with proton therapy?
Proton therapy may be suitable for treating cancer that affects the:
- Brain, spinal cord, and central nervous system (CNS)
- Head and neck
- Nose and eyes
- Rectum and anus
- Pancreas
- Liver
- Bone
- Soft tissues of the spine and pelvis, known as sarcoma
- Lungs
- Breast
- Esophagus
3. What are the side effects of proton therapy?
Common side effects of proton therapy include:
- Fatigue
- Digestion problems
- Headaches
- Hair loss in the area of the body that is being treated
- Skin redness in the area of the body that is being treated
- Soreness in the area of the body that is being treated
4. What are the disadvantages of proton therapy?
Proton therapy isn’t suitable for all types of cancer. It’s best for cancers in sensitive areas where other treatments could harm healthy cells nearby.
Proton therapy machines and equipment are extremely complex and expensive to manufacture and operate. It’s critical to double-check your insurance policy’s coverage.
5. How long does it take to recover from proton therapy?
Most people resume their normal activities immediately after a proton treatment session.
6. How long do proton treatments last?
Proton therapy treatments usually last about 30 minutes.
Best hospital for proton therapy in India
The best hospitals for proton therapy in India are equipped with cutting-edge technology, skills, experience, and the latest protocols to provide the best cancer care and outcome. Here is a list of the hospitals which provide the best proton therapy in India:
MedicoExperts is a Global virtual hospital which is established to offer quality healthcare services at affordable pricing without compromising the success rates of the treatment.
MedicoExperts is having a network of highly experienced super specialist doctors and well equipped hospitals across the globe and offering second opinion through online video consultation and surgical interventions through its empanelled super specialist doctors at its network hospitals in 17 countries from 3 continents.
By the virtue of its approach and model, MedicoExperts is successfully achieve to deliver
- Latest and most advanced treatments with success rates of international benchmarks.
- Multiple cost options depending upon the hospital facilities, with the same doctor.
- Treatment option in multiple cities/state/countries.
- Trust and peace of mind.
Most suitable for patients who are looking for:-
- Planned Surgeries and treatment from most experienced doctors and at multiple cost options as per hospital facilities with best possible outcomes.
- Second Opinion from expert doctors.
- Complex cases involving multi specialities
- International patients looking for treatment from Indian doctors
