Proton Beam Therapy Cost in India

The cost of Proton Beam Therapy in India typically ranges from $500 to $6,000 USD, depending on the hospital, city, and type of procedure.

Proton beam therapy is radiotherapy using protons instead of X-rays. Protons stop at a set depth, which can reduce dose to nearby healthy tissue. The cost depends on:

• Number of sessions: often daily for several weeks.
• Cancer type and site
• Anaesthesia: for young children.
• Centre: only a few in India.

Proton therapy is usually far more expensive than conventional radiotherapy and may cost much more than this range. Ask for a full written estimate.

NHS England says proton therapy is suitable only for certain cancers, such as complex brain, head and neck cancers and sarcomas. Its policies cover children and young adults, adults with skull base tumours, and craniospinal treatment. NHS England notes it does not lead to better outcomes for most cancers, so ask whether evidence supports protons for yours.

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust explains it was the UK's first high-energy NHS proton centre, followed by UCLH in 2021. Over 115,000 patients have been treated in 50 centres worldwide. In India, proton centres include Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Chennai, which Apollo describes as South East Asia's first, and Tata Memorial's ACTREC in Navi Mumbai.

Treatment is painless, and sessions are usually given on weekdays over several weeks. Side effects depend on the area treated. Plan accommodation for the whole course.