Apollo Hospitals inaugurates Proton Cancer Centre

News Desk, Chennai, October 15: With the launch of Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC), India has become the 16th country in the world to offer proton therapy for cancer. The centre offers proton therapy with pencil-beam technology that provides a high degree of precision. APCC is a 150-bed integrated cancer care centre. It has the Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy and Image-Guided Radiotherapy component. “Around 35 patients are waiting for treatment. The process of planning is on for seven patients,” Rakesh Jalali, medical director, APCC told reporters on Thursday. Around 60 to 70% of cancer patients need radiation. Through proton beam therapy, which is a form of radiation, zero dose beyond the tumour is achievable, he pointed out. APCC offered proton therapy with pencil-beam technology that provided a high degree of precision. There are 200,000 patients being treated in the world with particle beam therapy. Proton therapy can be utilized for young adults and teenagers to reduce the risk of second cancer, he said. There are 200,000 patients being treated in the world with particle beam therapy. Of this, 180,000 to 185,000 are with protons, he said. Prathap C. Reddy, executive chairman of Apollo Hospitals Group, said the centre has come up at a cost of ₹1,300 crore. Dr. Jalali also said that the entire treatment would cost ₹25 to ₹30 lakh for a patient. Preetha Reddy, vice chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group, spoke. It is to be mentioned that Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, the most advanced Cancer Centre in India and the first Proton Therapy Centre in South Asia & the Middle East. APCC is India's first JCI accredited Cancer hospital & offers end to end cancer care and has the high end technology in cancer management under one roof. At the bedrock of APCC's approach treating cancer is its robust multi-disciplinary platform; highly skilled Clinicians who come together to form organ specific cancer management teams (CMT). Every CMT comprises experts from surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, genetics & pathology. Each CMT is focused on delivering the best possible outcomes for our patients. The Robot-Assisted Cancer Surgery Unit will offer patients with comprehensive cancer care under one roof.