Prostate Cancer Proton Therapy Cost

What Is Proton Therapy Used For

While proton therapy is most often used to treat cancer, it can also be used to treat noncancerous tumors in children and adults. Proton beams can be used to treat tumors composed of different types of cells and located in different parts of the body some examples include:

• Eye cancer, such as ocular melanoma

Researchers are studying the potential benefits of proton beam therapy on different kinds of cancers.

Which Treatments Are Best In Keeping Men In Remission

Here is your opportunity to compare prostate cancer treatments. Over 129,000 patients underwent PSA monitoring after treatment to see which treatments were most effective at keeping the cancer in remission. The charts show which treatments are more likely to leave patients Prostate Cancer Free, for how many years. Share this data, talk with your Doctor, or multiple Doctors and make an informed decision. Select the treatment option, that is best for you.

Compare Prostate Cancer Treatments by gathering information about your own Prostate Cancer Diagnosis. Your Doctor will provide three elements that describe your prostate cancer. Your PSA, Stage and Gleason Score. These three elements help you determine your risk group. Find and select your Risk Group in the table below. This will take you to the comparing prostate cancer treatments page, where you can select different prostate cancer treatments on an interactive chart and graphically see their effectiveness over time.

The treatments included in this study are Prostate Surgery or Prostatectomy, , Brachytherapy or Seeds, High Dose Rate Radiation, HDR, External Beam Radiation Therapy or EBRT, Androgen Deprivation Therapy, ADT, or Hormone Treatment, Proton Therapy, High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, HIFU, Cryotherapy, Cryo and Hypo-Fractionated External Beam Radiation Therapy. For more advanced prostate cancer, treatments are combined to increase effectiveness.

Positioning For Proton Beam Treatment

Positioning the body is very important. It can take several minutes for the team to adjust both you and the instruments to make sure the proton beam will reach the exact spot of the tumor.

While the treatment is happening, you must be very still on the table. The team will work with you to help keep you in place. For example, a custom-fitted mask can help those who are getting treatment for brain tumors. The mask is made of mesh that allows patients to see and breathe.

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Radiation Therapy For Prostate Cancer

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to kill cancer cells. Depending on the stage of the prostate cancer and other factors, radiation therapy might be used:

• As the first treatment for cancer that is still just in the prostate gland and is low grade. Cure rates for men with these types of cancers are about the same as those for men treated with radical prostatectomy.
• As part of the first treatment for cancers that have grown outside the prostate gland and into nearby tissues.
• If the cancer is not removed completely or comes back in the area of the prostate after surgery.
• If the cancer is advanced, to help keep the cancer under control for as long as possible and to help prevent or relieve symptoms.

What Happens During Proton Beam Treatment

Proton therapy is an outpatient procedure performed in a specialized center. Most patients are treated over a course of several sessions, and some treatments take longer than others. The proton treatment takes place in a special room equipped with a large mechanical arm called a gantry that moves the proton beam around you as you lie on a table.

During a proton therapy treatment session:

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Summation Of Current Datapediatric Cancers

Although pediatric cancers represent a small fraction of patients treated with PBT in the US , the greatest number of reports documenting clinical reductions in toxicities exists for these cancers. An early report from Sweden paved the way for current thought on CE for PBT in pediatric cancers . Using Markov modeling, 5-year-old children with medulloblastoma were simulated to receive PBT or intensity-modulated radiotherapy . Initial costs of PBT were estimated as â¬10,218 versus â¬4,239 for conventional radiation however, total costs of all adverse effects were estimated at â¬4,232 and â¬33,857 , respectively , yielding total costs of â¬14,450 and â¬38,096 , respectively . The greatest factors contributing to adverse event costs were IQ decline, hearing loss, and growth hormone deficiency. This group performed another Markov analysis in medulloblastoma that demonstrated PBT was fully cost-effective compared with photon therapy .

Similar results in medulloblastoma have been reported using Monte Carlo modeling . While lifetime IMRT cost was estimated at $112,790, PBT costs at $80,211 were significantly lower. This report also corroborated that a decrease in adverse effects drove the cost benefits of PBT.

Cancers Treated With Proton Therapy

Proton therapy is useful for treating tumors that have not spread and are near important parts of the body. For instance, cancers near the brain and spinal cord. It is also used for treating children because it lessens the chance of harming healthy, growing tissue. Children may receive proton therapy for cancers of the brain and spinal cord. It is also used for cancer of the eye, such as retinoblastoma and orbital rhabdomyosarcoma.

Proton therapy also may be used to treat these cancers:

• Central nervous system cancers, including chordoma, chondrosarcoma, and malignant meningioma

• Eye cancer, including uveal melanoma or choroidal melanoma

• Head and neck cancers, including nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancer and some nasopharyngeal cancers

• Spinal and pelvic sarcomas, which are cancers that occur in the soft-tissue and bone

• Noncancerous brain tumors

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Trial To Compare Radiation Therapies For Treating Prostate Cancer

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center is enrolling patients in a national clinical trial to help to determine the best, most cost-effective approach for treating prostate cancer through radiation therapy.

The trial, known as the COMPPARE study, will compare the quality of life, side effects and cure rates for prostate cancer patients who are treated with one of two radiation types: photon therapy or proton therapy.

The main difference between the two radiation types is that X-ray beams travel all the way through a patient while protons only travel a certain distance before stopping, allowing them to deliver more concentrated doses of radiation.

Both therapies are currently considered standard of care for treating prostate cancer, and the type of treatment patients receive depends on the facility where theyre receiving treatment, their insurance coverage and their personal preference. Hollings treats patients using photon therapy, which is roughly three times less expensive than proton therapy and has shown to be just as effective as treatment with protons.

The reason we like this trial at Hollings is because it doesnt change our patients course of treatment. They can still choose how they get treated, and theyre able to help future patients determine the best, most cost-effective way to get treated. Dr. David Marshall

Proton Therapy Cost In India

Proton therapy is a novel and growing medical technology that uses high-energy proton beams to treat various cancers. This article will give you an in-depth idea about the cost of proton therapy in India, the various proton therapy treatments you can avail in India for cancer, its related costs, miscellaneous expenses, etc.

Protons are positively charged particles that are now replacing x-rays in cancer treatments. Proton therapy is new-age radiation therapy. The treatment costs in India may begin from INR , as the base package. The average cost of entire proton therapy in cancer treatment would be between 25, 00,000 to 30, 00,000 .

In India, proton therapy is most commonly used to treat tumours of the head and neck, as well as pediatric cancers. According to experts, it’s increasingly being used to treat spinal tumors, breast cancer, sarcoma, brain tumors, and prostate cancer. Proton therapy is used to treat cancer and some non-cancerous tumors. It might be used with other therapies, such as surgery and chemotherapy.

This fee is only 1/3rd of what most hospitals in the US cost for a proton cancer treatment. As of 2019, per an article published in the Hindu 2019, India is the 16th country in the world to be providing proton therapy for cancer treatment at affordable costs.

You must be looking for the treatments that can be cured with proton therapy and their costs. Let’s read ahead. To help you through your searches, we have covered all the details on one page.

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What Are The Pre & Post

Any surgical or cancer treatment will require you to prepare yourself for the treatment. It may be in the form of diagnostic tests, localization or positioning of the tumor or area of surgery etc. Similarly, in proton radiation therapy, there are certain initial stages youll need to go through to prep you for the treatment. These are called pre-operative measures and those costs will also be part of your bill. They are:

• Special Proton Therapy Room: charged as per the treatment center.
• Normal room rent: 35,000 60, 000 / day
• Medications: no specific medications are required.
• Follow-ups: no follow-ups are required check for side effects.

Proton beam therapy in India is a relatively hassle-free treatment as you need not stay at the hospital post-treatment. The patient can leave as soon as the treatment is completed and it is suggested to watch out for side effects if any.

With all these expenses combined, you get a lower price for Proton radiation therapy for cancer treatment in India. These prices are affordable yet are on the edge while competing with other countries.

Proton Therapy Treatment For Prostate Cancer Patients

Proton therapy is a form of radiation treatment for cancer patients. Also called proton beam therapy, proton therapy involves focusing proton particles into a beam, which is then delivered to the cancer cells in a non-surgical procedure. The positively charged particles can be controlled to stop at the tumor site, enabling the cancerous tissues to be destroyed with high levels of radiation without causing damage to nearby healthy tissue and vital organs. Proton therapy is considered more precise than other types of radiation therapy. It is also non-surgical, non-invasive, and has minimal side effects. Proton therapy treatment requires little to no recovery time, and the radiation has very little impact on a patients energy level compared to other cancer treatment options.

Proton therapy exhibits higher success rates in prostate cancer patients.

According to a study published by the University of Florida, prostate cancer patients who received proton therapy treatment were found to be free of cancer progression for five years after their treatment. Patients with low to medium risk prostate cancer experienced a success rate of 99%, while those with high risk prostate cancer experienced a success rate of 76%.

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Payment & Insurance Coverage Options For Proton Therapy

Full coverage: While proton beam cancer therapy treatment is covered by Medicare, private insurance coverage varies. Some companies do not reimburse for the service or only cover treatment for certain diagnoses. If your insurance carrier does pay for proton therapy, patients often incur little or no net out-of-pocket expenses after deductibles and annual maximum payments are met.

Case-by-case coverage: In this situation, our team of cancer specialists and physicians will work directly with your insurance plan to seek authorization for care by providing appropriate documentation to support the medical necessity of treatment.

How Is A Proton Beam Therapy Performed

A proton beam therapy is performed 5 days a week and lasts up to several weeks. In some cases, only one cycle of proton beam therapy is enough. One session of treatment takes about 1 minute, but you need to spend 30-45 minutes to prepare for proton beam therapy.

During the therapy, you lay on the special table. The doctors go to a special room to monitor and manage the process.

You won’t feel any discomfort during the treatment. You can leave the proton therapy center right after the treatment session.

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Proton Therapy In India

The clinics are exceptionally designed to provide a seamless mode of the treatment facility. In India, the two clinics which are considered for their supreme medical services in proton therapy are Apollo Hospital Indraprastha as well as HCG Manavata Cancer Centre. Where the former is situated in the capital city of Delhi, the latter is located in Nashik.

Top Hospitals for Proton Therapy in India

Facilities & Amenities

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital

Apollo Hospital Indraprastha is considered the topmost hospital to avail proton therapy in India. It is not only the first hospital in South-East Asia to offer proton therapy services, but also offers the most affordable rates in the entire world. The hospital has a separate unit offering proton therapy which is meant for providing uncompromised treatment facilities to the candidates. Starting from testing and diagnosis to follow-up care post-surgery, the candidates are taken care of, until they completely recover without any complication. The hospital is popularly known for implementing proton therapy for neck tumors, pancreas, head, pancreas as well as selected pediatric cases of malignancy.

HCG Manavata Cancer Centre

Besides proton therapy in India, the clinics here also offer procedures such as Internal Radiation Therapy, External Beam Radiation Therapy, Image-Guided Radiation Therapy, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy, 2d Conventional Technique, Gamma Knife, and many other procedures.

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Surgical procedures to remove the diseased prostate are usually necessary. Surgical procedures are not always necessary. If the disease is caused by bacterial infections, a doctor can treat the symptoms using alpha-blockers or surgery. Physical therapy, relaxation exercises, and warm baths are all recommended. A physician may also prescribe antibiotics to cure the infection. A bacterial infection can also cause a recurrence of the condition.

An enlarged prostate can be uncomfortable for both men and women. Some of the symptoms of an enlarged male reproductive organ include a weakened urine stream, urgent need to urinate, and urinary tract infections. BPH can also cause damage to the kidneys. A sudden inability to urinate can be life-threatening, as it can lead to bladder and kidney damage. Unfortunately, most men with enlarged prostrates put up with the symptoms for years before they seek treatment. However, many of the men with symptoms finally decide to go to a doctor for proper gynecological evaluation and to begin enlarged prostatic therapy.

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Clinical Benefits Of Proton Therapy

Proton therapy is the most advanced form of radiation therapy for cancerous tumors currently available. More than 800 clinical studies have been published on proton therapy. Recent research published in the journal JAMA Oncology found that people who have proton therapy are two-thirds less likely to experience side effects requiring hospitalization than people who have traditional X-ray or photon radiation.

Most solid, localized tumors can be treated with proton therapy. This includes tumors in the central nervous system and lymphatic system, as well as recurring tumors. Proton therapy may be a treatment option for a number of adult and pediatric cancers, including cancers of the brain and central nervous system, breast, esophagus, head and neck, liver, lung, lymphatic system, eyes, pancreas, prostate, bone and others.

High-level benefits

• Less damage to nearby healthy tissue
• Fewer short- and long-term side effects
• Lower risk of secondary cancers
• Increased quality of life

What Are The Disadvantages Of Proton Beam Therapy

Proton therapy is not the right choice for everyone. Some negatives of proton therapy include:

• Availability: There is a small number of proton therapy centers in the U.S., which means you may need to travel for treatment that may last several weeks.
• Longer planning time: Your radiation oncologist will need a few weeks to plan proton therapy. They may recommend traditional radiation if you need treatment sooner.

• Insurance coverage/cost: Proton therapy costs more than photon radiation therapy because the machines and equipment for proton therapy are very complex, and they are expensive to make and operate. Some insurance providers may not approve proton therapy if there is no definitive evidence that it is a better treatment option. It is important to check with your insurance provider about coverage. Many proton therapy centers, including the center at Johns Hopkins, have insurance authorization specialists who can assist you in obtaining treatment authorization.

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Questions To Ask Your Doctor

To estimate how much your care will cost, ask your medical team:

• How much do the recommended treatments and medications cost?
• How much of the treatment does my insurance cover?
• What do the costs of appointments look like with insurance, without insurance, with Medicaid, or with Medicare?
• If you recommend a procedure, how much does that cost? Will it involve staying in a hospital, and if so, whatâs the typical cost for that?
• What are some resources for help with paying medical bills?

Also, check with your insurance plan so that you know what your plan covers and which providers and facilities are âin networkâ for you.

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What Are The Best Proton Treatment Centers In Asia

There are few proton therapy centers in Asia. Among them is Apollo Proton Cancer Center . It is the first proton therapy facility in Southeast Asia. Apollo offers one of the most affordable prices for treatment without quality loss in the world.

Submit a request to undergo treatment at Apollo Proton Therapy Center.

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What Is The Success Rate Of Proton Therapy In India

Though proton radiation therapy in India is a new type of treatment well researched and performed by well-trained and equipped doctors in India. Around 46% of patients who underwent Proton therapy were declared cancer-free. Moreover, 58% of those people are still alive. It is performed by highly qualified radiation therapists who are well trained in using the proton beam. The hospitals are recognized and accredited by JCI and are world-renowned cancer treatment centres. These places provide the best quality care and international standard state-of-art equipment and machinery are used.