On Saturday, AIIMS Bhopal announced the formation of a tumor board to facilitate multidisciplinary cancer treatment involving multiple departments. In the press release, the director of AIIMS Bhopal, Dr. Ajay Singh, stated that the tumor board will help in improving cancer treatment services and cancer registration in hospital-based cancer registries, etc.

In a special academic session of the tumor board held in AIIMS Bhopal, he highlighted the importance of modern treatment modalities, especially for head and neck cancer and pediatric tumors. He added that the cancer treatment center in AIIMS Bhopal is equipped with all facilities for cancer care, including radiation oncology, surgical oncology, and hemato-oncology.

Dr. Sapna Nangia, a senior Chennai-based consultant, was the academic session′s keynote speaker. In her speech on ‘Proton Therapy - a paradigm shift in radiotherapy for cancer care,’ she highlighted the different aspects of proton-based radiotherapy treatment in head and neck cancer, breast cancer, gynecological cancer, and pediatric oncology.

She explained that proton therapy is the most preferred option for treating solid tumors in children because protons can be controlled precisely. Hence, the effect of radiation on normal tissues can be controlled, preventing any other serious complications, and reducing the chance of secondary tumors.

She noted that proton therapy targets tumors and cancer cells with precision. It requires a minimal exit dose and can be favorably used to treat recurrent tumors, even in patients who have already received radiation. Proton therapy has less overall toxicity compared to radiation therapy, which can reduce the probability and/or severity of short- and long-term side effects on surrounding healthy tissues and organs. 

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/hospitals/boost-for-cancer-therapy-aiims-gets-tumor-board/95486434 )