Designed to better protect healthy tissue, proton therapy delivers highly targeted radiation that stops at the tumour, helping reduce unnecessary radiation exposure and potential side effects. Delivered using Singapore's only Varian ProBeam Compact system.
Proton Beam Therapy Singapore
Biopolis Proton Therapy SG
Operated by Singapore Institute of Advanced Medicine 🇸🇬
20–42 session course Millimetre-precise IMPT
Singapore's first proton beam therapy centre, and one of only two private options in the country. Built around the Varian ProBeam Compact — a single-room system with a 360° rotating gantry, superconducting cyclotron, and pencil-beam scanning that delivers intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) with millimetre precision, sparing healthy tissue that conventional X-ray radiotherapy would pass through.
Precision Targeting Unlike conventional X-ray radiation, proton therapy delivers most of its energy directly to the tumour before stopping, helping to minimise unnecessary radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and organs.
Advanced Technology Powered by one of the region's most advanced proton therapy systems. Operating since 2023, the centre is equipped with the Varian ProBeam Compact system, enabling highly precise treatment delivery supported by rigorous operational and quality standards.
Specialist-Led Care Delivered by a dedicated team of radiation oncology specialists.
Meet the Doctors
Dr Shaun Ho Zhirui
Medical Director & Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist · FRCR (UK) · FAMS · Fellowship at UCLH · Proton training in Japan & Taiwan
Dr Wong Ru Xin
Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist · FRCR · Paediatric proton therapy trained in the USA · KK Women's & Children's Hospital
Dr Brendan Chia
Radiation Oncologist · FRCR · Proton fellowship in Italy & Japan · Consultant, National Cancer Centre Singapore
Cancers Treated
Proton therapy is generally recommended where sparing surrounding tissue matters most:
Brain & skull-base tumours — including cases requiring cranio-spinal irradiation, such as medulloblastoma
Sarcomas — including chordoma, chondrosarcoma, and other soft-tissue or bone sarcomas
Head & neck cancers — including nasopharyngeal cancer, where proximity to critical structures favours proton precision
Lung cancer
Liver, bile duct & oesophageal cancers
Prostate cancer
Paediatric cancers — lower lifetime risk of secondary, radiation-induced cancers
Suitability for proton therapy is determined by a radiation oncologist based on tumour type, location and stage — not every cancer benefits more from protons than conventional radiotherapy.
Cost of treatment
Packages start from SGD 40,000; a full course (typically 20–42 sessions) can range toward SGD 100,000 depending on cancer type, dose and number of fractions.
MediShield Life covers SGD 300–1,800 per session, depending on diagnosis
International insurers — Bupa, Cigna and Allianz are also accepted
Final pricing depends on your oncologist's treatment plan. Figures above are indicative market ranges, not a quote — confirm directly with the clinic before committing.
Exploring proton therapy for a cancer diagnosis? Book a 15-minute discovery call to see if this is the right path.
Proton therapy is designed to deliver radiation directly to the tumour while reducing unnecessary exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This is particularly important for tumours near critical structures such as the brain, spinal cord, eyes, heart, or lungs.
The Science
The Power of Stopping Precisely
Proton beams release most of their energy at a precise depth known as the Bragg Peak. This allows radiation to be concentrated within the tumour while reducing exposure to healthy tissue beyond it.
Standard radiotherapy (X-ray) Proton therapy
Low entry dose
No exit dose
Less radiation to healthy tissue
Standard Radiotherapy vs. Proton Therapy
Standard Radiotherapy
Radiation continues beyond the tumour
Proton Therapy
Delivers dose with greater precision
Why It Matters
Healthy Tissue Protected
Less radiation reaches critical organs surrounding the tumour.
Reduced Side Effects
Lower exposure may reduce certain treatment-related complications.
Ideal for Complex Tumours
Particularly valuable when tumours are located near sensitive structures such as the brain, spinal cord, eyes, heart, or lungs.
Who may be suitable for proton therapy?
Young & Paediatric Patients
Children face a higher lifetime risk of secondary cancers from radiation — proton therapy significantly reduces that exposure.
Radio-Resistant Tumours
Dose escalation is needed for tumours like chordoma and chondrosarcoma — proton therapy allows this without increasing harm to nearby tissue.
Complex Tumour Locations
Tumours near critical structures — brain, head & neck, liver, oesophagus — where sparing healthy tissue is essential.
High Collateral Risk
When conventional radiotherapy would cause significant dose spread to surrounding organs, e.g. cranio-spinal irradiation.
Suitability is guided by the Ministry of Health's approved list of indications for proton beam therapy.
Rhabdomyosarcoma (orbit, parameningeal, head & neck, pelvis)
Pelvic sarcoma
Osteosarcoma
Other
Salivary gland cancer
Prostate Cancer
All patients with prostate cancer are eligible, provided overall prognosis is good
Lymphoma & Thymoma
Lung cancer
Thymoma
Lymphoma
Requires a specialised tumour board to approve.
The categories above reflect the Ministry of Health's approved list of indications for proton beam therapy in Singapore, used for MediShield Life claim eligibility.
Fortunately, the Ministry of Health has made a provision for treatment outside of this list; proton therapy providers may convene an ethics board discussion to facilitate this. We currently have an active workflow at Singapore Advanced Medicine for this purpose.
We do not work with facilities operating outside national regulatory and licensing requirements.
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Proven clinical track record
Singapore's first proton beam therapy centre, operating since May 2023 with hundreds of patients treated. Not a new or unproven facility.
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Specialist physicians only
Treatments are delivered by a dedicated radiation oncology team of board-certified specialists.
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Full Transparency
You pay the clinic directly at the exact rate they set, with no markups added.
Exploring Proton Therapy?
Speak with our team about whether proton beam therapy is the right path for your diagnosis. We'll help you understand suitability, cost and next steps before you commit to anything.
