【Follow-up Report】Patient Receiving World's First Surgical Spacer-Protected One-Time Heavy Ion Thera

【Follow-up Report】Patient Receiving World's First Surgical Spacer-Protected One-Time Heavy Ion Therapy Recovers and Is Discharged

"Dr. Yang, I can now eat normally, walk around without any problem, and feel really well. Thank you all so much. Today, I can finally be discharged with peace of mind." At the Heavy Ion Therapy Department for Thoracic Cancer, Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors of Wuwei Medical Science Academy, 69-year-old Mr. Huang described his current condition to Dr. Yang Qianzi, Deputy Chief Physician, who came to check on him. Mr. Huang is the first patient successfully treated through the world’s pioneering multidisciplinary heavy ion therapy.

Mr. Huang, 69, was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Due to the large size of the lung tumor and its close proximity to the stomach and intestines, surgical resection was not feasible (and heavy ion therapy was also initially not applicable). On September 28, 2023, Wuwei Medical Science Academy Cancer Hospital implemented a globally pioneering multidisciplinary heavy ion therapy technique—a minimally invasive procedure to place a spacer (surgical pad) to separate the tumor from the stomach and intestines, followed by a single high-dose heavy ion treatment that successfully destroyed the tumor. The patient with advanced lung cancer was successfully treated and was discharged today after full recovery.

Previously, our hospital successfully performed the world’s first heavy ion treatment with surgical isolation between the tumor and abdominal/pelvic organs, administering a single high dose for a patient with sacrococcygeal chordoma. The technique of placing a surgical spacer between organs and tumors to allow one-time heavy ion therapy will no longer be a medical challenge. The multidisciplinary heavy ion therapy at Wuwei Medical Science Academy Cancer Hospital will bring a "gospel of health" to such critically ill patients.

The Heavy Ion Center of Wuwei Medical Science Academy Cancer Hospital focuses on technological innovation and exploration. It has pioneered several global firsts, including high-frequency oscillatory respiratory motion management for precise heavy ion therapy, bladder volume control technology for bladder cancer treatment, surgical spacer placement between organs and tumors for one-time heavy ion therapy, and "heavy ion surgical technology" (single-session treatment) under organ motion control, as well as new project technologies such as multi-modality 3D medical imaging and production of medical heavy ion accelerator compensators. In the treatment of advanced tumors resistant to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, the center has developed a comprehensive cancer management protocol based on heavy ion therapy, integrated with traditional Chinese medicine, physical therapy, psychological support, and other holistic approaches.

To date, the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center has completed treatment for 939 patients, covering more than 40 types of cancers including lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and glioma. Patients have come from all provinces and cities across China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao, as well as from other countries such as Belgium. Since its official clinical application, follow-up data on key treatable cancers such as lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioma show good patient comfort during treatment, safe and stable operation of the carbon ion therapy system, definite efficacy, no Grade 3 or higher adverse reactions, and excellent outcomes post-treatment.

Preliminary Review: Zhang Lihong

 Final Review: Zhang Jie