China Health Trip

Proton and
Heavy Ion Therapy for Cancer

The Pinnacle of Precision Radiation Therapy in China

Proton and
Heavy Ion Therapy for Cancer

The Pinnacle of Precision Radiation Therapy in China

In the era of precision medicine, proton and heavy ion radiation therapy is emerging as a new breakthrough in modern cancer treatment. Unlike traditional radiation therapy, this technology can eliminate tumors with extremely high precision, minimize damage to normal tissues, and cause fewer side effects – significantly improving patients’ quality of life.

China currently leads Asia in the research, application, and clinical promotion of proton and heavy ion therapy. It is home to multiple centers that meet international standards, bringing new hope to patients with early-stage and advanced cancer.

Clinical Applications – Conquering Various Complex Cancers with Significant Efficacy

Cancer Type	Key Advantages
Brain Cancer, Skull Base Tumors	Reduces nerve damage and protects brain function
Head and Neck Cancer, Throat Cancer	Preserves salivary glands, reduces dry mouth, and maintains taste
Lung Cancer, Mediastinal Tumors	Minimizes impact on the heart and lungs
Liver Cancer	Protects liver function with fewer side effects
Prostate Cancer	Reduces urinary disorders and erectile dysfunction
Pediatric Cancers	High safety and lower long-term side effects

Statistics show that the tumor control rate can reach 80–95%. This therapy is particularly suitable for patients who are “inoperable” or have “reached the maximum dose limit for traditional radiation therapy”.

Working Principle – The "Light Scalpel" of the 21st Century

By accelerating proton particles, their energy is concentrated at the “Bragg Peak” (the end of the particle’ s path), precisely destroying cancer cells without harming surrounding tissues.

Uses positively charged carbon ions, which have higher energy and can damage the DNA structure of deep-seated or refractory solid tumors.

With its unique physical properties, this therapy is known as the “light scalpel” in modern cancer treatment.

China – An Asian Hub for Proton and Heavy Ion Therapy

Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center (SPHIC)

Has treated over 15,000 patients and adopts world-leading pencil beam scanning technology.

Wuwei Heavy Ion Hospital

The first (Wuwei) and the second (Lanzhou) heavy ion tumor treatment systems installed in China, heavy ion treatment starting from November 2024.

Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine

Has provided precise treatment for 600patients, with the types of diseasestreated expanded to nearly 50

Guangzhou Taihe Cancer Hospital Proton Therapy Center

Equipped with the world-leading Varian ProBeam and IBA Proteus+ two sets of proton radiotherapy systems, it forms a cluster of 9 proton therapy rooms and 15 photon therapy devices.

All centers provide international patient services, including Chinese-Other Language translation, medical record support, and full-process treatment coordination.

Currently, China has achieved 100% independent research and development of proton and carbon ion accelerator technology. It has more than 10 operational centers and over 20 under-construction projects –
A scale of development far exceeding that of Japan and South Korea.

Advantages Over Traditional Treatments

Aspect	Proton/Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy	Traditional Radiation Therapy/ Chemotherapy
Energy Mechanism	Concentrated energy for precise killing (Bragg Peak effect)	Dispersed energy, affecting normal tissues
Normal Tissue Damage	Extremely low	Relatively high
Side Effects	Mild and localized	Severe and systemic
Treatment Sessions	15–30 sessions, shorter cycle	15–40 sessions, longer/multiple cycles
Quality of Life	Fast recovery, minimal impact	Slow recovery, significant impact

Side effects are generally mild and temporary, with common ones including: Mild fatigue, Dry skin or slight redness in the irradiated area, Mild nausea when the abdomen is irradiated, Rare cases of tissue inflammation or digestive discomfort

Compared with traditional radiation therapy, the incidence of side effects is reduced by more than 50%, allowing patients to maintain their daily lives during treatment.

Reference Costs for Treatment in China

Treatment Type	Cost Range
Proton Therapy	250,000 – 350,000 RMB (35k-49k USD)
Heavy Ion Therapy	400,000 – 600,000 RMB (56k-85k USD)

Proton and heavy ion therapy represents the pinnacle of next-generation precision radiation therapy. It provides an excellent treatment option for complex, deep-seated tumors and those adjacent to vital organs.

As China has fully mastered the relevant technologies and equipment, international patients can access advanced treatment of the same quality as that in Japan and Germany, but at a lower cost.