China's Heavy Ion Therapy Demonstrates Unique Efficacy in Treating Tumors
China's Heavy Ion Therapy Demonstrates Unique Efficacy in Treating Tumors
——The High-Quality Development and Green Healthcare Model Promotion Conference for Heavy Ion Therapy Successfully Concluded in Lianyungang, Jiangsu
China's heavy ion therapy technology, leveraging its core advantages of "precise lesion targeting and significantly reduced side effects," has become a national treasure in the medical field. The key principle behind it is the "Bragg Peak" effect—high-energy particle beams precisely focus energy on tumor sites, directly causing double-strand DNA breaks in cancer cells (rendering them unable to repair), while maximizing protection for surrounding healthy tissues. This approach demonstrates remarkable therapeutic value for complex tumors adjacent to sensitive organs or difficult to surgically remove, such as liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma.
Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, recognized as the "Jinggangshan" (the pioneering base) of China's heavy-ion therapy technology, has established a leading benchmark in the field with its eight groundbreaking "world-first" achievements. It exemplifies the "Chinese approach" through deep integration of clinical practice and scientific research . It is the only medical institution globally operating two heavy-ion treatment systems simultaneously . Since fully taking over the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center in November 2024, the hospital has innovatively built a "dual-center collaboration, dual-engine drive" development model . This optimizes resources, upgrades technical capabilities, and significantly enhances treatment capacity, service coverage, and regional medical influence .
In terms of treatment efficiency, the center leads the world in the number of "single-session, one-day treatments" performed, substantially shortening therapy cycles and reducing the physical and mental burden on patients . Regarding technical breakthroughs, it has pioneered "precision heavy-ion therapy under ventilator control," "bladder cancer treatment under bladder volume control," and "single-session treatment with a spacer placed between organs and tumors" . Each innovation represents the dedication of the research and clinical teams, offering new hope for patients with complex conditions .
In equipment development, it created the nation's first 360-degree rotatable and adjustable ion therapy chair, providing crucial hardware support for precision radiotherapy . Pushing the boundaries of treatment, the center has performed the world's first cases of heavy-ion therapy for cardiac tumors and pioneered the "heavy-ion therapy + whole-lifecycle physical and mental health management" model . This represents a profound shift from mere "technical cure" to "holistic care of body and mind," comprehensively leading innovation in heavy-ion medical diagnosis, treatment, and service models .
From technological exploration to widespread application, and from regional leadership to international recognition, the hospital's heavy-ion therapy program has achieved high-quality, leapfrog development. To date, the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center has expanded the range of treatable diseases from 7 types during its 2018 clinical trial phase to over 50 types, including lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and glioblastoma, achieving broad coverage in the field of malignant tumor therapy. The annual number of treatments has surged from an initial 200 cases to nearly 1,000 cases, representing an average annual growth rate of 17.5%. Cumulatively, it has provided precise treatment to more than 2,400 patients from both China and abroad, safeguarding lives with its technical prowess. Meanwhile, the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center has successfully completed over 400 cases of heavy-ion and photon therapy . Its diagnostic and treatment services cover all 34 provincial-level regions in China (including provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities) . Furthermore, leveraging its internationally leading technical standards and high-quality medical services, it has attracted patients from countries such as Belgium, Australia, South Korea, Malaysia, and Vietnam, making it a significant window for Chinese heavy-ion therapy technology to reach the world. Currently, supported by the "twin centers" (Wuwei and Lanzhou), Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital is continuously advancing heavy-ion therapy technology towards higher precision, broader application, and better services. It is striving to build a domestically leading and internationally renowned heavy-ion medical center, demonstrating the responsibility and capability of Chinese heavy-ion medicine with solid strength, and allowing "Chinese technology" to benefit patients globally.
To make advanced medical technology truly benefit more patients, Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital has innovatively established a "medical + insurance + aviation" full-chain support system. In collaboration with China Life Insurance, the hospital launched a "Million Medical Insurance + Heavy-ion Treatment Green Channel," providing up to 5.55 million RMB in medical coverage and a one-stop reimbursement service to alleviate patients' financial burdens . Partnering with China Southern Airlines Media, it created a "Green Aviation Service for Healthcare" to specifically address the travel challenges faced by patients from other regions . Furthermore, the center regularly invites top global experts from countries like Japan and Germany for onsite guidance, ensuring its technical standards remain synchronized with the international forefront.
To enable more patients to learn about heavy-ion technology and its patient-benefiting policies, the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center (hereinafter referred to as the Center) of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital held the "China Heavy Ion High-Quality Development and Green Healthcare Model Promotion Conference" in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, on December 5 . The meeting was presided over by Guo Yishan, Head of the Hospital's Organization and Publicity Department.
The event was attended by renowned experts who have extensive clinical experience with the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center, including Professor Pan Mianshun, Director of the Radiology Department at the Armed Police Shanghai General Hospital; Professor Yu Lili, Director of the Radiotherapy Department at Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital; Professor Liao Hongfei from Chengdu 363 Hospital affiliated to Southwest Medical University; Professor Wang Enmin, Director of the Radiotherapy Department at Huashan Hospital of Fudan University; Professor Huang Guanhong, President of Lianyungang Cancer Hospital; Professor Wang Gang from Zhengzhou Cancer Hospital; Professor Kang Jingbo from the Sixth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital; Professor Fan Wei from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; Professor Song Changlong from the Gamma Knife Center of Guangdong Nongken Central Hospital; and Professor Ye Yancheng, President of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital.
At the conference, Professor Wang Junjie, Director of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center, delivered a presentation titled "Introduction to the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center and Heavy-Ion Tumor Therapy Technology," comprehensively showcasing the recovery outcomes of nearly 400 patients and the associated technological breakthroughs. The practical pathway of this system was elaborated in detail. Professor Pan Mianshun, Director of the Radiotherapy Department at the Armed Police Shanghai General Hospital, delivered a speech. Mr. Dong Weijun from the leadership of China Southern Airlines Group Culture Media Co., Ltd. first shared the airline's measures to support the high-quality development of heavy-ion therapy . Mr. Jiang Wei, project leader of China Life's "Million Medical Insurance + Heavy-Ion Treatment Green Life Channel" (Wuwei Branch), then detailed the exclusive protection plan . Subsequently, Mr. Chen Suhua, Sales Director of the Digital Marketing Center at China Southern Airlines Group Culture Media Co., Ltd., introduced the "Green Aviation High-Quality Service," designed to address travel challenges for patients from other regions. Professor Li Xiaojun, Vice Director of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center, presented the "Report on the Clinical Applications of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center," highlighting the center's achievements as a "milestone" in Chinese heavy-ion medicine's progress to the global forefront. This was followed by a "Media Q&A and Expert Discussion" session, where authoritative experts addressed questions from attendees regarding heavy-ion technology and the green healthcare model. Approximately 20 mainstream media outlets, including Anhui Evening News, Hefei Morning Post, and Anhui Economic Net, provided full coverage of the event.
Guo Yishan, Head of the Organization and Publicity Department, presided over the meeting
Professor Wang Junjie, Director of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center, delivered a presentation titled
"Introduction to the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center and Heavy-Ion Tumor Therapy Technology."
Professor Pan Mianshun, Director of the Radiotherapy Department at the Armed Police Shanghai General Hospital, delivered a speech
Mr. Dong Weijun, a member of the leadership team at China Southern Airlines Group Culture Media Co., Ltd., shared
"Measures by China Southern Airlines to Support the High-Quality Development of Heavy-Ion Therapy."
Mr. Jiang Wei, Project Leader of the "Million Medical Insurance + Heavy-Ion Treatment Green Life Channel" at China Life (Wuwei Branch), detailed the exclusive protection plan
Mr. Chen Suhua, Sales Director of the Digital Marketing Center at China Southern Airlines Group Culture Media Co., Ltd., introduced
"High-Quality Green Aviation Service for Medical Care."
Professor Li Xiaojun, Deputy Director of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center, presented the
"Report on Clinical Applications of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center."
Expert Q&A | Press Q&A
From technological breakthroughs to public health security, the development of China's heavy-ion therapy technology is not only a microcosm of high-end medical innovation but also a vivid reflection of the "patient-centered" service philosophy. In the future, this technology will continue to expand its application boundaries, contributing more Chinese wisdom and strength to the global fight against cancer.
Conference Highlights
