Fortis Healthcare has announced plans to introduce India’s first upright proton therapy system at Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI), Gurugram. The technology is expected to strengthen precision cancer treatment and expand access to advanced radiation therapy for selected adult and paediatric patients.
The planned installation will feature the MEVION S250-FIT™ Proton Therapy System™ from Mevion Medical Systems. It will be combined with Marie® upright positioning and imaging technology from Leo Cancer Care and RayStation® treatment planning software from RaySearch Laboratories.
Once installed and cleared by the relevant authorities, FMRI will become the first healthcare centre in India to introduce upright proton therapy. It will also be the first Leo Cancer Care system installed in the country.
A New Approach to Proton Therapy
Proton therapy differs from conventional radiation treatment, which uses X-rays that continue beyond the tumour and can expose nearby healthy tissues to radiation.
Protons can be precisely directed to deliver the planned dose to the tumour while limiting radiation beyond the treatment area. This may help reduce exposure to surrounding organs and tissues.
The approach can be especially useful for certain cancers in children and tumours located near sensitive organs, including the brain, spinal cord, heart and lungs.
Patients Treated in an Upright Position
A key feature of the new system is its upright treatment design. Instead of placing patients on a table inside a large rotating gantry, the technology positions them in a seated posture in front of a fixed proton beam.
The system includes a 360-degree upright positioning platform and integrated CT imaging. Doctors can therefore image, position and treat the patient in the same orientation.
This may benefit patients who have difficulty lying flat because of pain, breathing problems, restricted movement or anxiety. The open treatment setup may also help reduce the sense of confinement and allow patients to stay more connected with the care team.
Integrated imaging can further support precise patient alignment and consistent positioning during image-guided treatment.
Compact Technology Reduces Infrastructure Challenges
Traditional proton therapy centres usually need large facilities, extensive construction and significant supporting infrastructure. The compact design of the MEVION S250-FIT™ could allow the system to be installed within an existing FMRI building.
A conventional gantry-based proton therapy facility would require considerably more space. The smaller footprint could therefore help overcome one of the major infrastructure challenges involved in bringing proton therapy to established hospitals.
The system will also use RayStation® for advanced proton treatment planning, supporting complex workflows required for precision radiation therapy.
Strengthening FMRI’s Cancer Care Capabilities
FMRI houses the Fortis Cancer Institute, which brings together medical, surgical and radiation oncology, precision diagnostics and multidisciplinary cancer specialists.
The planned proton therapy facility is expected to add another advanced treatment option to the centre’s personalised oncology services.
Dr Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Managing Director & CEO, Fortis Healthcare, said, “India’s rising cancer burden calls for a fundamental shift towards earlier diagnosis, greater treatment precision, and wider access to advanced oncology care. As healthcare providers, our responsibility is to build an ecosystem in which globally advanced technologies are integrated with strong clinical expertise and made accessible to more patients. The planned installation of the MEVION S250-FIT™ Proton Therapy System at FMRI reflects this vision. Beyond introducing India’s first upright proton therapy system, it represents an important step towards strengthening the country’s precision-oncology capabilities, addressing infrastructure barriers and building a more patient-centric and future-ready cancer-care ecosystem.”
Stephen Towe, Chief Executive Officer, Leo Cancer Care, said, “Fortis Healthcare’s decision is a landmark moment for Leo Cancer Care and for upright radiotherapy. India is an important new territory for us, and we are proud that our first system in the country will be delivered in partnership with Fortis and IHH Healthcare. This project captures exactly why upright radiotherapy matters. By eliminating the need for a large rotating gantry, the MEVION S250-FIT can bring proton therapy into an existing building where no other proton system could be accommodated. Together, we are overcoming a major infrastructure barrier and creating the opportunity for more patients to access proton therapy.”
Expanding Access to Advanced Cancer Treatment
The proposed installation could mark an important step in the development of proton therapy infrastructure in India. By combining proton treatment with upright positioning and advanced imaging, the technology is designed to support more precise and patient-focused cancer care.
The project is subject to regulatory approvals and completion of the required site preparations. If implemented as planned, it could also provide a model for introducing upright proton therapy in other healthcare facilities across India and the wider region.
Fortis Healthcare’s planned investment in upright proton therapy highlights the growing focus on precision oncology in India. By addressing both treatment accuracy and infrastructure limitations, the initiative could help bring advanced cancer care to more patients while supporting the evolution of modern radiation therapy.
(Photo courtesy: fortishealthcare.com)