ACTREC’s Proton Therapy Centre Treats 900 Cancer Patients In Two Years, Including 400 Children

The Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), part of the Tata Memorial Centre, has treated 900 cancer patients using advanced proton therapy since the facility began operations on August 15, 2023.

Located in Kharghar, the centre represents one of India’s most advanced cancer treatment facilities. Doctors say nearly 400 of the treated patients were children, and encouragingly no relapse cases have been reported so far among those who completed therapy.

Majority Of Patients Received Financial Support

Officials stated that access to treatment has been made easier for patients through financial assistance schemes.

More than 60 percent of patients received treatment at subsidised rates, while around 30 percent were treated completely free of cost through patient welfare funds and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

These measures have allowed patients from across the country to benefit from advanced cancer treatment that is often expensive in many parts of the world.

Advanced Technology For Precision Treatment

The facility operates under the National Hadron Beam Therapy Facility, which was dedicated to the nation by Narendra Modi on May 11, 2023.

The centre is equipped with three patient treatment rooms featuring 360-degree rotating gantries. It uses advanced Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) technology that enables Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT).

This technology allows doctors to precisely target cancer tumours while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissues, making it particularly beneficial for children and patients with complex cancers.

Major Benefit For Pediatric Patients

Doctors said approximately 44 percent of the treated cases involved children, highlighting the importance of proton therapy in pediatric cancer care.

Unlike conventional radiation therapy, proton therapy significantly reduces long-term side effects, which is crucial for young patients whose bodies are still developing.

The centre has even created specialised facilities for treating very young children under anesthesia, along with a dedicated play area to make the hospital environment less stressful for pediatric patients.

Types Of Cancer Treated

Among the patients treated at the centre, the largest share involved central nervous system tumours.

Other cases included:

• Bone tumours
• Head and neck cancers
• Pediatric cancers
• Gynecological cancers
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Gastrointestinal tumours
   

Each patient’s case is reviewed by a specialised team of doctors to determine whether proton therapy would provide the best treatment outcome.

Patient Support And Accommodation

To assist patients travelling from different parts of India, the centre offers on-campus accommodation at nominal rates within the ACTREC campus.

A voluntary patient support group called “Prerak” has also been formed to help patients and families share experiences, information and emotional support during treatment.

Treatment Duration And Procedure

In most cases, patients require around 40 treatment sessions, with each session lasting 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the type and location of the cancer.

Doctors said hospital admission is usually not required, though the final decision is taken by the medical team based on the patient’s condition.

Research And Future Development

According to Pankaj Chaturvedi, director of ACTREC, the centre is currently conducting several research projects to generate scientific evidence on the effectiveness of proton therapy for both adults and children.

The facility is also collaborating with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre on research related to technology evaluation and biological studies.

The proton therapy centre was developed in collaboration with Ion Beam Applications, a Belgium-based global leader in proton therapy technology.

With advanced treatment technology, patient support systems and ongoing research initiatives, the facility is expected to play a major role in strengthening cancer treatment capabilities in India.