Is proton therapy expensive?

Proton therapy costs range from about $30,000 to $120,000. In contrast, a course of treatment with radiosurgery costs about $8,000-$12,000, Heron said. IMRT (intensity-modulated radiation therapy) costs about $15,000.

How much does a proton therapy machine cost?

Most proton beam facilities costs less, $20 million to $150 million for single- and multiroom facilities, according to Scott Warwick, executive director of the National Association of Proton Therapy. But proton therapy’s allure is strong despite its costs.

What are the disadvantages of proton therapy?

Disadvantages. Due to the precise area of radiation delivery, proton therapy may miss small areas of cancer cells and metastases which lie near, but outside of the radiation field.

What is the cost of proton therapy in India?

The proton ensemble costs Rs 550 crore, meaning the therapy is expensive. At Apollo’s Chennai centre, patients shell out between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 30 lakh for the entire course.

How long does it take for proton therapy to work?

Once the tumor’s location is accurately determined, proton therapy sessions may take anywhere from four to eight weeks. The appointment usually lasts 15 to 45 minutes, but the actual time it takes to deliver the proton beam is only one to three minutes, on average.

What are the benefits of proton therapy for cancer patients?

Proton therapy promotes fewer short and long term side effects. Reduced tumor recurrence. Secondary tumors occurring later in life are a significant problem for children who are cancer survivors. Proton therapy greatly lessens the probability of this.

Are there any side effects to proton therapy?

A proton beam can be directed so that the Bragg Peak occurs precisely in the tumor volume. The dose immediately beyond the Bragg Peak is essentially zero, which also spares normal tissue distal to the tumor volume. Side effects typically seen with X-ray therapy, both acute and long-term, can be markedly reduced with proton therapy.

How is proton therapy different from X-rays?

With proton therapy, more of the healthy tissue and critical organs are spared from radiation. X-rays are electromagnetic waves that penetrate tissue, gradually losing energy as they move along. To penetrate deeply enough in the body to reach most tumors, higher energies and doses of radiation must be used.

What is the driving force of proton therapy?

The driving force behind proton therapy is the cyclotron. First, hydrogen gas is electrified, causing the atoms to eject protons. The cyclotron then spins these protons at speeds of up to 223 million miles per hour. Magnets then guide a beam of protons from the cyclotron to the treatment rooms.