Pencil Beam Scanning, Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT), pediatric proton care — delivered at South Asia's first proton centre in Chennai, at 70–80% lower cost than the US or UK. Medifly arranges everything: the right specialist, the right hospital, the visa, the stay, and your continuity of care.
Proton therapy is an advanced form of external beam radiation that uses positively charged particles (protons) instead of the X-rays used in conventional radiation. The unique physics property of protons — known as the Bragg peak — means they deposit most of their destructive energy at a precise depth inside the body, then stop. Tissue beyond the tumour receives almost no radiation dose.
According to the National Cancer Institute ↗, this precision makes proton therapy especially valuable for tumours located near critical structures — the brain stem, spinal cord, eye, heart — and for pediatric patients, where reducing radiation to developing tissue can dramatically lower the risk of secondary cancers later in life.
India's Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) in Chennai, the first proton facility in South Asia and the Middle East, uses the same Pencil Beam Scanning and IMPT technology as the top US and European centres — at a fraction of the cost. Get a free expert second opinion →
Proton therapy exists at only ~100 centres worldwide. The few patients who need it most often face the longest wait, the highest costs, and the most uncertainty about whether it's even right for them. Here is what every international patient encounters — and exactly how Medifly removes each barrier.
There are only around 100 proton therapy centres in the world. Most countries — including all of Africa, most of South America, most of South-East Asia, and the Middle East — have none. Patients are told "you would benefit from proton therapy" by their local oncologist and then left to figure out where, how, and at what cost on their own.
We connect you with Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Chennai — South Asia's first proton facility — using the same Hitachi Pencil Beam Scanning technology as top US centres. Explore our partner hospitals →
Not every cancer benefits more from proton therapy than from advanced photon (IMRT/SBRT) techniques. Some tumours show clear advantages with protons — pediatric, brain, eye, skull base, re-irradiation. For others, the evidence is less clear, and the cost difference is substantial. An honest specialist tells you the truth — even if it costs you nothing.
Our senior radiation oncologists give you an honest evidence-based opinion on whether proton therapy is right for your specific cancer — or whether modern photon radiation would be equally effective at lower cost.
A full course of proton therapy costs $100,000–$300,000 in the US, $80,000–$150,000 in the UK. Insurance companies frequently deny coverage, calling it "not medically necessary." Many families remortgage homes or run crowdfunding campaigns. The same treatment in India costs $25,000–$45,000 — total — including hospital, scans, and consultations.
We negotiate an all-inclusive fixed-cost package — covering planning, simulation, daily treatment fractions, weekly review, and follow-up scans. You get a written quote before you travel.
The handful of proton centres worldwide are often booked 3–6 months in advance. For aggressive tumours, that delay can change outcomes. International patients are placed behind local patients. Pediatric cases are urgent. Families are left waiting and worrying — when every week matters.
Our 15-year partnership with Apollo Proton Cancer Centre means we can prioritise urgent international cases. Most patients begin simulation within 2–3 weeks of confirming treatment plans.
A typical proton therapy course requires daily treatment, Monday to Friday, for 6–8 weeks (30–40 sessions). For a pediatric patient under anaesthesia, that's 30–40 days of accompanied travel to and from the hospital, all in a foreign country. Without proper coordination — accommodation, transport, language support, family visa, schooling for siblings — the logistics become unmanageable.
Our medical tourism team plans the full 6–8 week stay — multi-entry visa, long-stay serviced apartment near hospital, dedicated transport, family Medical Attendant visas, and daily coordinator support. You focus on your child. We handle the rest.
We are not a referral agency. We are your personal medical team on the ground in Chennai — from the day you send your first WhatsApp to the day you complete treatment and fly home. Learn more about us →
Before anything else, our radiation oncology team tells you whether proton therapy is actually the best option for your specific cancer — or whether modern photon radiation would be equally effective.
Before any specialist sees your file, our MBBS-qualified team reviews your scans, biopsy, and prior treatment — highlighting missing tests and explaining everything in plain language.
We prepare an itemised quote covering planning, simulation, every fraction, weekly reviews, immobilisation devices, and follow-up — then negotiate a fixed rate with the hospital.
We arrange everything before you leave home — the right medical visa for 6–8 weeks, flights guidance, family-friendly serviced apartments, daily transport, and airport welcome.
For pediatric proton therapy, daily anaesthesia is required. We coordinate every session, every meal, every game — keeping families informed and supported through a months-long treatment course.
Proton therapy is just the beginning. We coordinate follow-up imaging, share survivorship plans with your local oncologist, and remain reachable for years after treatment ends.
Proton therapy uses the physics of the Bragg peak to deliver radiation with extraordinary precision — energy deposited exactly where you want it, almost none where you don't. Read more from the Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group (PTCOG) ↗.
Hydrogen atoms are stripped to protons in a cyclotron or synchrotron, then accelerated to roughly two-thirds the speed of light — gaining the energy needed to reach tumours deep in the body.
The proton beam is steered by powerful magnets and shaped by computers to match the exact 3D contour of your tumour — millimetre by millimetre, layer by layer.
As protons pass through healthy tissue, they deposit very little energy — sparing skin, organs, and surrounding cells from significant damage on the way to the target.
At the precise depth of the tumour, protons release nearly all their remaining energy — destroying cancer cells — and then stop. No exit dose. No damage beyond the target.
Different cancers and anatomical sites call for different proton delivery methods. The most advanced centres — including Apollo Proton Cancer Centre — use Pencil Beam Scanning and IMPT as the standard of care. For technical depth, see the ASTRO patient resources ↗.
The most precise proton delivery technique available. A narrow proton "pencil" beam is magnetically steered point-by-point across the tumour — painting dose layer by layer. Used at India's leading centre for most cancers.
Highest precision · Modern standardThe most advanced form of Pencil Beam Scanning. Beam intensity is varied across thousands of spots within the tumour to optimally shape dose distribution — particularly valuable for complex shapes near critical organs.
Complex tumours · Sparing critical organsThe first-generation proton delivery method. Scattering foils broaden the proton beam to cover the tumour. Still effective for many cancers, particularly large, regularly-shaped tumours — and where speed is critical.
Established · Robust techniqueDaily CBCT or X-ray imaging is used immediately before each fraction to ensure the tumour is in exactly the right position. Critical for moving tumours and tumours adjacent to critical structures.
Daily imaging · Position verificationConcentrated high-dose proton delivery in 1–5 sessions for small, well-defined tumours. Excellent for select brain metastases, small lung lesions, and liver tumours — combining proton precision with stereotactic power.
Short course · High-dose · Small lesionsThe treatment plan is recalculated and adjusted weekly during the course based on tumour shrinkage, weight loss, or anatomical change. Ensures the plan stays optimal throughout 6–8 weeks of treatment.
Personalised · Tumour-responsiveSpecialised delivery for children — typically combining IMPT, daily anaesthesia for younger patients, custom immobilisation, and reduced-dose protocols. The gold standard for most pediatric solid tumours.
Children · Anaesthesia-supportedUltra-high dose-rate delivery in fractions of a second — an emerging technique that may further reduce damage to healthy tissue. Currently in clinical trials; not yet routine standard of care anywhere globally.
Emerging · Research stageProton therapy isn't universally better than photon radiation — but for these cancers, the precision advantage translates to fewer side effects, better quality of life, and in some cases, improved survival.
Medulloblastoma, ependymoma, rhabdomyosarcoma — protons protect developing tissue.
Gliomas, meningiomas, craniopharyngiomas — spares cognitive function and brain stem.
Chordoma, chondrosarcoma — proton therapy is the established gold standard.
Uveal melanoma, retinoblastoma — preserves vision and the surrounding eye.
Spinal cord and paraspinal tumours — protects the spinal cord from radiation damage.
Reduces dry mouth, swallowing problems, and damage to taste glands.
Significantly reduces heart radiation — important for younger patients.
Selected stage II–III NSCLC — spares lung, heart, and oesophagus from dose.
Excellent option for tumours unsuitable for surgery — spares liver function.
Reduces heart and lung dose, lowering post-treatment cardiac complications.
Soft tissue and bone sarcomas — particularly retroperitoneal and paraspinal.
Recurrent cancers in previously irradiated areas — protons may be the only safe option.
Proton therapy is remarkable technology, but it isn't magic. Here is what every patient should know before starting — explained clearly, without the marketing gloss.
Important: Side effects vary significantly based on the treated area, dose, and patient factors. Your radiation oncology team gives you a personalised side-effect plan before treatment — and Medifly's coordinator is in daily contact throughout your course to address concerns immediately.
Eligibility depends on cancer type, tumour location, age, prior treatment, and overall health. The only way to know for sure is a complete evaluation by a qualified radiation oncologist — preferably one with proton therapy experience.
Cancers near critical organs (brain stem, spinal cord, eyes, heart) benefit most. Tumours where a small dose to healthy tissue could cause significant harm are strong candidates.
For children with solid tumours, proton therapy is preferred when available. The reduction in dose to growing tissue significantly lowers risk of secondary cancers and developmental side effects.
Proton therapy treats well-defined tumours. Cancers that have already spread widely (metastatic) are usually better treated systemically — though selected oligometastatic cases may benefit.
Proton therapy works best when the goal is cure — eliminating the cancer. For palliative care (symptom relief), conventional radiation is usually more practical and equally effective.
If you've already had radiation in or near the area where cancer has recurred, proton therapy may be the only safe option — sparing already-irradiated healthy tissue from additional dose.
Treatment requires daily sessions for 6–8 weeks. You need to be physically able to attend daily, travel to Chennai, and commit to the full course. Medifly handles all logistics.
Here is exactly what happens after you contact Medifly — step by step, no guesswork, no surprises.
Share biopsy reports, scans (MRI, CT, PET-CT), and prior treatment records via WhatsApp or email. Free. 5 minutes.
Our MBBS team and senior radiation oncologist review your case. Written second opinion within 24 hours — honest, evidence-based.
On arrival: CT simulation, MRI fusion, custom immobilisation device. Medical physicists create your treatment plan over 5–7 days.
30–40 daily fractions over 6–8 weeks, Monday–Friday. Each session takes 30–45 minutes. Transport and accommodation all coordinated.
Discharge summary, survivorship plan, and follow-up scan schedule. Medifly coordinates remote follow-up with your local oncologist for years.
The same Pencil Beam Scanning technology, the same protocols, comparable quality of care — at a fraction of what you would pay in the US or Europe. See the real numbers.
| Country | Full Course (30–35 fractions) |
|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | $100,000 – $300,000 |
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | $80,000 – $150,000 |
| 🇩🇪Germany | $60,000 – $120,000 |
| 🇯🇵Japan | $70,000 – $130,000 |
| 🇨🇭Switzerland | $80,000 – $140,000 |
| 🇸🇬Singapore | $50,000 – $90,000 |
| 🇮🇳India (with Medifly) | $25,000 – $45,000 |
Same Pencil Beam Scanning technology. Same protocols. Comparable outcomes.
You do not need to figure this out alone. Medifly sends you a personalised pre-travel checklist the moment you confirm your treatment. Here is what matters most.
Over 15 years, 15,000+ patients have trusted us not because we were the cheapest option, but because we were the most human one. Read our story → · Meet our doctors →
We do not earn commissions for sending you to a hospital. We earn your trust by finding you the right place — even if it earns us nothing.
Our 15-year hospital relationships mean we speak directly with department heads — and your case gets priority review by someone who trusts our judgement.
Our team includes qualified doctors who read your reports — not just case managers who forward files. We understand your diagnosis before recommending a specialist.
When a side effect happens at 2am during your 6-week course, you call us — not a helpline. A real person who knows your case picks up. That is the Medifly promise.
Especially during long paediatric treatments, we keep your family informed back home — in a language they understand. Your loved ones should never be left wondering.
Your medical reports, scans, and diagnosis are shared only with the treating team you approve. We take medical privacy seriously — always.
Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) in Chennai is the first and most advanced proton therapy facility in South Asia and the Middle East — using the same Pencil Beam Scanning technology as top US and European centres. Medifly negotiates directly on your behalf, and our other partner hospitals coordinate diagnostics, supportive care, and follow-up.
MGM Healthcare
Pre-Proton Diagnostics
Gleneagles Global
Multidisciplinary Oncology
Fortis Healthcare
Paediatric Oncology Support
Kauvery Hospital
Supportive Care
Apollo Spectra
Day-Care Procedures
SIMS Hospital
Diagnostic Imaging
These are the families who trusted Medifly with their proton therapy journey — in their own words. Get in touch to start yours →
"My 8-year-old daughter had medulloblastoma. Proton therapy in the US was $200,000. We couldn't afford it. Medifly arranged the entire 31-fraction course in Chennai for $42,000 including stay. She is now 3 years cancer-free with no learning difficulties."
"My skull base chondrosarcoma — the surgeon said proton therapy was the only safe option after surgery. UK waitlist was 9 months. Medifly got me into Chennai in 3 weeks. The medical care was world-class, the savings were extraordinary."
"Recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer after previous radiation. Local oncologists said nothing could be done safely. Medifly's specialist confirmed re-irradiation was possible with protons. 30 sessions later, complete response. They saved my life."
"I had a uveal melanoma in my left eye. Eye-preservation proton therapy in Australia wasn't available; the US quoted $90,000. Medifly arranged it in Chennai for $32,000 total — including 4 weeks of accommodation. My vision is preserved."
If any of these describe your situation, do not wait. A free expert review takes 24 hours — and could change the course of your treatment. The WHO recommends ↗ seeking specialised oncology input early in any complex cancer diagnosis.
For most paediatric solid tumours, proton therapy reduces long-term side effects and risk of secondary cancers. Before any radiation is given, get a proton therapy assessment.
Tumours near the brain stem, spinal cord, or optic nerves are strong candidates for proton therapy. The precision protects critical neurological function.
Uveal melanoma, retinoblastoma, and ocular tumours often benefit from proton therapy — it can preserve vision and the eye while controlling the cancer.
Chordoma and chondrosarcoma at the skull base are textbook indications for proton therapy. Standard photon radiation often cannot deliver curative doses safely.
If cancer has returned in an area that was previously irradiated, proton therapy may be the only safe option to deliver curative dose without overdosing healthy tissue.
If you've received a proton therapy quote you cannot afford, India offers the same technology at 70–85% lower cost — making lifesaving treatment accessible.
Time matters in cancer treatment. Every week of delay can affect outcomes — especially for paediatric patients and aggressive tumours. If any of the above applies to you, send your reports today; we will review them within 24 hours, completely free.
Send us your medical reports right now — for free, with no obligation. Within 24 hours, you will know if proton therapy is right for your case, which specialist will treat you, and exactly what the full course will cost. You focus on healing. We handle everything else. Also explore: our patient education blog →
