China's heavy-ion therapy technology, with its core advantages of "precise targeting of lesions and significant reduction of side effects," has become a critical national asset in the field of cancer treatment. The key principle behind it is the "Bragg peak" effect – the high-energy particle beam can concentrate its energy precisely on the tumor site, directly causing double-strand DNA breaks in cancer cells that prevent their repair, while maximally protecting the surrounding healthy tissues. It has demonstrated significant therapeutic value, especially for complex tumors located near sensitive organs or those difficult to remove surgically, such as liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma.

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As the core practice base for heavy-ion therapy in China, the Wuwei Heavy-Ion Center at Gansu Provincial Wuwei Tumor Hospital has achieved remarkable success through ten years of construction and five years of clinical practice, setting eight world-first milestones that solidify China's leading position in this field.

•Dual-Center Synergy: It is the only hospital in the world operating two heavy-ion therapy systems simultaneously. Since taking over the Lanzhou Heavy-Ion Center in 2024, it has established a "twin-center collaborative model", significantly expanding treatment capacity and service coverage.

•Treatment Efficiency: The center leads in the number of "single-fraction, one-day treatments" performed globally, greatly reducing treatment duration and patient burden.

•Technical Breakthroughs: It has pioneered techniques such as:••Heavy-ion therapy under respiratory gating for precise targeting,••Bladder cancer treatment under bladder volume control,••Single-session therapy using spacers between visceral organs and tumors.Each innovation offers new hope for patients with complex conditions.

•Equipment Development: The center developed China’s first 360° rotatable and adjustable ion therapy chair, enhancing precision treatment capabilities.

•Expanding Frontiers: It performed the world’s first heavy-ion treatments for cardiac tumors and introduced the "heavy-ion therapy + whole-lifecycle health management" model, leading the industry in both technology and patient care.

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Clinical data bears witness to the growth of the Wuwei Heavy-Ion Center: the number of treatable cancer types has expanded from 7 during its 2018 clinical trial phase to over 50 today. The annual number of treated cases has surged from 200 to nearly 1,000, representing an average annual growth rate of 17.5%. To date, the center has successfully provided treatment for more than 2,300 patients. Its services now cover all provinces and cities across China, and it has also attracted international patients from countries including Belgium and Australia, reflecting its consistently growing global recognition.

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To make advanced medical technology truly accessible to more patients, Gansu Provincial Wuwei Tumor Hospital has innovatively established a full-chain support system integrating "medical care, insurance, and aviation."

•In partnership with China Life, the hospital launched a "critical illness insurance package with a heavy-ion treatment green channel," offering coverage of up to 5.55 million RMB and one-stop reimbursement services to alleviate financial burden.

•Collaborating with China Southern Airlines Media, it created a "green channel air service" specifically to address the travel challenges faced by patients from other regions.

•Concurrently, the center regularly invites leading international experts from countries like Japan and Germany for residencies, ensuring its technical standards remain at the global forefront.

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On November 10th, to enhance public awareness of heavy-ion technology and its patient-friendly policies, Gansu Provincial Wuwei Tumor Hospital held the "China Heavy-Ion Therapy High-Quality Development & Green Healthcare Model Symposium" in Taiyuan, Shanxi. The symposium was presided over by Cai Qinghua, Vice President of the hospital.

The event brought together leading oncologists from across Shanxi Province, including:

•Professor Lan Shengmin, Director of the Oncology Radiotherapy Committee of the Shanxi Medical Association and Vice Director of the Head & Neck Oncology Committee of the China Anti-Cancer Association (Shanxi Branch).

•Professor Li Xianfeng, Director of the Gynecological Radiotherapy Department at Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Chief Physician, Master's Supervisor, and Member of the Brachytherapy Committee of the Chinese Society for Radiation Oncology.

•Professor Zhang Shuping, Recognized as an Outstanding Expert of Shanxi Province, a Trans-Century Talent of the Provincial Health Department, Chief Physician, Professor, Master's Supervisor, and Visiting Professor at Southeast University.

•Professor Guo Yarong, Deputy Director of the Cancer Center at Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Department, Chief Physician, Master's Supervisor, Member of the Evidence-Based Medicine Committee of the Chinese-German Medical Association, and a former Young Director of the China Anti-Cancer Association.

•Professor Zhang Gong, Director of the Radiotherapy Department at Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Chief Physician, Ph.D. in Oncology, Master's Supervisor, and Vice President of the Shanxi Radiotherapist Association.

•Professor Zhang Jidong, Director of the Gynecological Radiotherapy Department at Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Chief Physician, and Master's Supervisor.

•Professor Li Jie, Director of the Second Thoracic Radiotherapy Department at Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Chief Physician, Postgraduate Supervisor, and Standing Member of the Radiotherapy Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association.

•Professor Wang Yulong, Chairman of the Radiotherapy Committees of the Shanxi Medical Association, Anti-Cancer Association, and Medical Doctor Association, and Standing Director of the Shanxi Anti-Cancer Association.

•Professor Wu Wei, Deputy Chief Physician of the Oncology Department at the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, and Member of the Shanxi Society for Radiation Oncology.

•Professor Jin Hongxing, Chief Physician of Medical Imaging Diagnosis at Shanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital.

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During the symposium, Professor Zhang Yanshan, Vice President of Gansu Provincial Wuwei Tumor Hospital, delivered a keynote report titled "Heavy-Ion Hospital Construction Achievements and Five-Year Clinical Report," which comprehensively showcased the remarkable recovery stories of nearly 2,300 patients and the accompanying technological breakthroughs. The practical implementation of this system was thoroughly explained.

The following presentations detailed the collaborative support system:

•Mr. Feng Xiao, Secretary to the Chairman of China Southern Airlines Group Culture & Media Co., Ltd., first shared the airline's initiatives in supporting the high-quality development of heavy-ion therapy.

•Ms. Chen Yishi, Sales Director of the Digital Marketing Center at China Southern Airlines, then introduced the "High-Quality Green Channel Air Service," designed to resolve travel challenges for patients from other regions.

•Mr. Jiang Wei, Project Leader of China Life's "Critical Illness Insurance + Heavy-Ion Treatment Green Channel" (Wuwei Branch), elaborated on the exclusive insurance package.

A dedicated "Media Q&A and Expert Session" followed, where leading authorities addressed questions from the audience regarding heavy-ion technology and the green healthcare model.

The event was extensively covered by 20 mainstream media outlets, including Sanjin Metropolis Daily, Taiyuan Radio and Television Station, and Shanxi Evening News.

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Vice President Cai Qinghua presiding over the symposium

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Professor Lan Shengmin, Director of the Oncology Radiotherapy Committee of the Shanxi Medical Association and Vice Director of the Head & Neck Oncology Committee of the China Anti-Cancer Association (Shanxi Branch), delivered a speech.

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Professor Zhang Yanshan, Vice President of Gansu Provincial Wuwei Tumor Hospital, delivered a report titled "Heavy-Ion Hospital Construction Achievements and Five-Year Clinical Report."

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Mr. Feng Xiao, Secretary to the Chairman of China Southern Airlines Group Culture & Media Co., Ltd., was the first to share the airline's initiatives in supporting the high-quality development of heavy-ion therapy.

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Ms. Chen Yishi, Sales Director of the Digital Marketing Center at China Southern Airlines, took the stage to introduce the "High-Quality Green Channel Air Service."

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Mr. Jiang Wei, Project Leader of China Life's "Critical Illness Insurance + Heavy-Ion Treatment Green Channel" plan (Wuwei Branch), elaborated on the exclusive coverage scheme.

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Expert Q&A and Media Session

From technological breakthroughs to inclusive patient care, the development of China's heavy-ion therapy technology is not only a microcosm of cutting-edge medical innovation but also a powerful testament to its patient-centric philosophy. In the future, this technology will continue to push the boundaries of its applications, contributing China's wisdom and strength to the global fight against cancer.

Event Highlights

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