PROTON BEAM THERAPY - SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

News: Proton beam therapy out of reach for many with cancer

 

What's in the news?

       Cancer patients in India face twin challenges when it comes to accessing proton beam therapy (PBT) - there are not enough facilities offering the treatment, and the cost can run into tens of lakhs of rupees.

 

Key takeaways:

       Radiation therapy using X-rays has long been used to treat cancers and noncancerous (benign) tumors.

       The PBT is considered a viable alternative to radiation for treating solid tumours, especially for head and neck cancers.

       At present, there are no government facilities that offer proton beam therapy treatment in India.

 

Proton Beam Therapy:

       Proton beam therapy is a type of radiation therapy that uses high-energy beams to treat tumors.

       It uses protons rather than x-rays to treat cancer. At high energy, protons can destroy cancer cells.

       It can also be combined with x-ray radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, and/or immunotherapy.

       Like x-ray radiation, proton therapy is a type of external-beam radiation therapy.

 

Significance:

       Unlike radiation which uses X-rays, PBT uses protons to tackle cancer.

       While radiation can prove toxic to the whole body, protons can destroy cancer cells precisely by targeting tumours, thus saving adjoining organs.

 

Indian Scenario:

       In India, Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), a grant-in-aid Institution under Department of Atomic Energy, has initiated collaboration with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) for research in proton therapy.

 

Issues:

1. Huge demand:

       The demand for PBT machines is also increasing, as more and more patients are being diagnosed with cancer and are seeking the latest and most effective treatments available.

2. High cost:

       One of the major challenges in setting up PBT machines is the high cost involved, as the machines are complex and require a significant investment.

3. Shortage of personnel:

       In addition, there is a shortage of trained personnel who can operate and maintain the machines, which further limits their availability.