- Gansu Wuwei Heavy Ion Center

China's heavy ion therapy technology, leveraging its remarkable strengths of precise tumor ablation and minimal side effects, has emerged as a strategic national asset in cancer treatment.

Its core principle hinges on the Bragg peak effect: high-energy particle beams deliver their energy with pinpoint accuracy to tumor lesions, inducing double-strand DNA breaks in cancer cells that are irreparable. Meanwhile, it drastically reduces damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

This makes it especially suitable for tumors located near sensitive organs (e.g., liver cancer, pancreatic cancer) or those difficult to remove via surgery—including glioblastoma.

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As a core practical platform in China's heavy ion therapy field, the Heavy Ion Center of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital has, after a decade of construction and five years of clinical practice, achieved a remarkable "eight firsts both domestically and internationally" report card, directly demonstrating the leading position of China's heavy ion technology: It is the world's only hospital operating two heavy ion therapy systems. With the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center (under its operation) going live a year ago, a strong pattern of synergistic development between the two centers has taken shape, significantly enhancing the treatment capacity and coverage of heavy ion therapy.

In terms of treatment technology, the center continues to push boundaries. It leads the world in the number of techniques enabling single-session treatment completed within a day, greatly shortening patients' treatment cycles and reducing their suffering. It has globally pioneered precision heavy ion therapy under ventilator management, bladder cancer treatment with precise bladder volume control, and single-session heavy ion therapy involving surgical placement of an isolation pad between the organ and the tumor—each breakthrough embodying the wisdom and dedication of its research and clinical teams, bringing new hope to countless patients with complex conditions.

Domestically, it is the first to develop a 360° rotating and lifting ion radiotherapy chair, providing robust support for precise treatment. Globally, it is the first to complete multiple cases of heavy ion therapy for cardiac tumors and the first to implement heavy ion therapy combined with comprehensive, full-life-cycle physical and mental health management. Leading the development trend of heavy ion therapy in an all-round manner—from treatment technology to service philosophy.

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Clinical data shows that the center's treatment capabilities have continued to advance: expanding from 7 disease types during the 2018 clinical trial phase to over 50 types of precise tumor treatment today; its annual treatment volume has jumped from 200 cases to nearly 1,000 cases, with an average annual growth rate of 17.5%. As of now, it has successfully treated over 2,300 patients, covering all provinces and cities across China as well as multiple countries like Belgium and Australia—its international recognition has significantly increased.

To make high-end technologies accessible to more patients, China has innovatively established a full-chain "medical care + insurance + aviation" support system:

In collaboration with China Life Insurance, it launched the "Million-Yuan Medical Coverage + Green Channel for Heavy Ion Treatment", providing a total of 5.55 million yuan in medical insurance and one-stop reimbursement services.
Partnering with China Southern Airlines Media, it created the "High-Quality Aviation Service for Green Medical Visits"to address transportation challenges for cross-regional treatment.
Meanwhile, the center has long-term invited top experts from Japan, Germany, and other global leading nations to provide on-site guidance, ensuring its technologies stay aligned with the international cutting edge.

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To let more patients know about heavy ion technology and its people-benefiting policies, on October 29, Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital held the "China Heavy Ion High-Quality Development and Green Medical Visit Model Promotion Conference" in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province. The conference was chaired by Cai Qinghua, Vice President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital. Attendees included:

•Professor An Yonghui, Deputy Director of the Tumor Targeted Therapy Technology Branch of the Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering; Director of the Hebei Provincial Tumor Minimally Invasive and Targeted Therapy Technology Committee; Director of the Radiation Oncology Branch of Shijiazhuang Medical Association; Director of the Tumor Treatment Center, Chief Physician, and Master’s Supervisor at The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University;

•Professor Zhang Futong, Chief Physician of the First Oncology Department of Shijiazhuang People’s Hospital (Hebei Province); Deputy Director of the Hebei Provincial Tumor Minimally Invasive and Targeted Therapy Professional Committee;

•Professor Lü Yalei, Director of the Fourth Oncology Department, Chief Physician, Doctor of Medicine, Associate Professor, and Master’s Supervisor at The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University;

•Professor Wang Yi, Director of the Hebei Provincial Women Physicians Association; Member of the Oncology Branch of the Asia-Pacific Health and Health Association; Associate Chief Physician of the Radiation Oncology Department at The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University;

•Professor Jin Ge, Associate Chief Physician of the Gynecologic Oncology Department at The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University;

•Professor Jia Haisheng, Director of the Second Ward of the Oncology Department and Associate Chief Physician at Chengde Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital;

•Dr. Hu Jiarui, Attending Physician at The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University; and experts in radiotherapy and oncology from various hospitals in Hebei Province.

Relevant responsible persons from Hebei Branch of China Life Insurance were also invited to attend.

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At the meeting, Professor Zhang Yanshan, Vice President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, delivered a report titled "Achievements in Heavy Ion Hospital Construction and 5th Anniversary Clinical Report", fully showcasing the recovery miracles of nearly 2,300 patients and key technological breakthroughs. Details of the practical path of this system were elaborated as follows:

First, Mr. Xiao Zanjian, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of China Southern Airlines Group Culture Media Co., Ltd., shared China Southern Airlines’ initiatives to support the high-quality development of heavy ion therapy. Then, Mr. Chen Suhua, Sales Director of the Digital Marketing Center, introduced the "High-Quality Aviation Service for Green Medical Visits"—a solution designed to address travel challenges for cross-regional patients. Next, Mr. Chen Suhua (again, as part of his role) and Mr. Jiang Wei, Project Leader of China Life Insurance’s "Million-Yuan Medical Coverage + Green Channel for Heavy Ion Treatment" (Wuwei Branch), provided a detailed breakdown of the exclusive protection plans tailored for patients.

Subsequently, during the "Media Q&A and Expert Response"session, authoritative experts addressed questions from on-site media and attendees regarding heavy ion technology and the green medical visit model. Over 20 mainstream media outlets—including Hebei Daily, Hebei Radio and Television Station, and Hebei Economic Times—provided full coverage of the conference.

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Cai Qinghua, Vice President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, chaired the meeting.

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Professor An Yonghui, Deputy Director of the Tumor Targeted Therapy Technology Branch of the Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering; Director of the Hebei Provincial Tumor Minimally Invasive and Targeted Therapy Technology Committee; Director of the Radiation Oncology Branch of Shijiazhuang Medical Association; Director of the Tumor Treatment Center, Chief Physician, and Master’s Supervisor at The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, delivered speeches.

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Professor Zhang Yanshan, Vice President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, delivered a report titled "Achievements in Heavy Ion Hospital Construction and 5th Anniversary Clinical Report".

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Mr. Xiao Zanjian, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of China Southern Airlines Group Culture Media Co., Ltd., shared the initiatives through which China Southern Airlines supports the high-quality development of heavy ion therapy.

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Mr. Chen Suhua, Sales Director of the Digital Marketing Center, introduced the "High-Quality Aviation Service for Green Medical Visits"

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Mr. Jiang Wei, Project Leader of China Life Insurance’s "Million-Yuan Medical Coverage + Green Life Channel for Heavy Ion Treatment" (Wuwei Branch), elaborated on the exclusive protection plan.

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Expert Q&A and Media Q&A

From technological breakthroughs to comprehensive, full-chain livelihood support, the development of China’s heavy ion therapy technology is not only a microcosm of high-end medical innovation but also underscores the philosophy of "putting patients at the center." Looking ahead, this technology will continue to push the boundaries of its applications, contributing China’s strength to the global endeavor of cancer prevention and treatment.

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