The results from a pilot study on a small group of high-risk prostate cancer patients by Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) indicate that the proton therapy could significantly reduce side effects compared to conventional radiation therapy.
Doctors at the APCC said the full study is likely to take three years to complete and may involve around 150 patients. This study is among 17 such studies under way at the centre on various aspects of cancer-related clinical practice, with a specific focus on the Indian context.
With a majority of the research on cancer treatment coming from the western world, Rakesh Jalali, medical director and the head of Radiation Oncology at APCC, said there was a pressing need for studies in the Indian scenario to help patients here better as cancer cases continue to rise. He cited the example of head and neck cancer, which is very common in India, but hardly any studies are available.
