China's Heavy Ion Therapy: A New Hope for Cancer Patients

China's Heavy Ion Therapy: A New Hope for Cancer Patients​

—The High-Quality Development of China's Heavy Ion Technology and Green Healthcare Model Promotion Conference Concludes Successfully in Beijing

China's heavy ion therapy technology, with its core advantages of precise tumor targeting and significantly reduced side effects, has become a "national treasure"​ in the field of cancer treatment. The key principle behind it is the "Bragg Peak" effect—high-energy particle beams can precisely concentrate energy on the tumor site, directly causing double-strand DNA breaks​ in cancer cells that prevent repair, while maximizing protection of surrounding healthy tissues. This approach demonstrates remarkable therapeutic value for complex tumors located near sensitive organs or difficult to surgically remove, such as liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma​.

As the "Jinggangshan"​ (pioneering base) of China's heavy ion therapy technology, Gansu Wuwei Tumor Hospital​ has achieved "eight world-first breakthroughs"​ , solidifying its leadership in heavy ion medicine. It is the only medical institution globally operating two heavy ion therapy systems simultaneously. Since fully taking over the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center in November 2024, the hospital has innovatively established a "dual-center synergy, dual-engine drive"​ development model, optimizing resources and upgrading technical capabilities. This has significantly increased treatment capacity, expanded service coverage, and enhanced regional medical influence.

• Treatment Efficiency: The center leads the world in the number of "single-fraction treatments completed within one day"​ , drastically shortening treatment cycles and reducing patient burden.
• Technological Breakthroughs: It pioneered "heavy ion precision therapy under respiratory control", "bladder cancer treatment with bladder volume management", and "one-session therapy with surgical spacers between organs and tumors"—each innovation offering new hope for complex cases.
• Equipment Development: Developed China’s first 360° rotatable and adjustable ion therapy chair, providing robust support for precision treatment.
• Treatment Boundaries: Conducted the world’s first cases of heavy ion therapy for cardiac tumors​ and introduced a "whole-lifecycle health management"​ model, transitioning from technical cure to holistic care.

From technological exploration to widespread accessibility, from regional leadership to international recognition, the hospital's heavy ion therapy endeavor has achieved high-quality, leapfrog development.​ As of now, the number of treatable diseases at the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center has expanded from 7 types during the clinical trial period in 2018 to over 50 types, including lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and glioblastoma, achieving broad coverage in the field of malignant tumor treatment . The annual treatment volume has surged from the initial 200 cases to nearly 1,000 cases, with an average annual growth rate of 17.5%​ . Cumulatively, precise treatment has been provided to over 2,600 patients​ from both China and abroad, safeguarding the hope of life with technical prowess . 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​ nationwide (provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities) . Furthermore, leveraging its internationally leading technical standards and high-quality medical services, it has attracted patients from countries including Belgium, Australia, South Korea, Malaysia, Canada, Vietnam, and Singapore, seeking treatment and establishing itself as a vital window for China's heavy ion therapy technology to reach the world.

Today, supported by the "twin centers"​ (Wuwei and Lanzhou), Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital is continuously advancing heavy ion therapy technology towards higher precision, broader scope, and superior services​ . It is striving to build a domestically leading, internationally renowned heavy ion medical center, interpreting the responsibility and commitment of Chinese heavy ion medicine with robust strength, and allowing "Chinese technology"​ to benefit global patients.

To make this advanced technology accessible, the hospital built an integrated "treatment-insurance-transportation" support system:

• Partnered with China Life Insurance​ to launch a "million-yuan medical insurance + green channel for heavy ion treatment"​ , offering up to 5.55 million yuan​ in coverage and one-stop reimbursement services.
• Collaborated with China Southern Airline Media​ to provide "green aviation services"​ for patients traveling long distances.
• Regularly invites top experts from Japan and Germany for on-site guidance, ensuring alignment with international standards.

To promote awareness of heavy ion technology and its patient-benefiting policies, the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center (hereinafter referred to as the Center) of Gansu Wuwei Tumor Hospital held the "China Heavy Ion High-Quality Development and Green Healthcare Model Promotion Conference" in Beijing on December 21. The conference was hosted by Guo Yishan, Head of the Hospital's Organization and Publicity Department .

Attendees included renowned experts such as:

• Professor Ren Gang, Director and Chief Physician of the Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Shougang Hospital;
• Professor Li Yongheng, Administrative Deputy Director and Chief Physician of the Department of Radiotherapy, Peking University Cancer Hospital;
• Professor Liu Yuanzhao, Chief Physician of the Department of Radiotherapy, Beijing Hospital;
• Professor Mu Xiaofeng, Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Radiotherapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University;
• Professor Zheng Qianqian, Supervisor Technologist and Physicist of the Department of Radiotherapy, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Shijingshan Branch, Capital Medical University;
• Professor Chen Xingyu, Chief Physicist and Director of Physical Technology, Cancer Center, Peking University International Hospital;
• Professor Chen Yalin, Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Radiotherapy, Peking University People's Hospital;
• Professor Wang Zihong, Director and Chief Physician of the Department of Radiotherapy, Beijing Shijingshan Hospital.
• Also present were Professor Wang Junjie, Director of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center, and Qi Ying, Deputy Director of the Center.

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 miracles of nearly 400 patients​ and the technological breakthroughs​ achieved. The practical pathway of this system was interpreted in detail.

Professor Liu Yuanzhao, Chief Physician of the Department of Radiotherapy at Beijing Hospital, delivered an opening speech.

Mr. Yang Meng​ from the leadership of China Southern Airline 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-Yuan Medical Insurance + Green Channel for Heavy Ion Treatment" (Wuwei Branch), detailed the exclusive protection plan.

Mr. Chen Suhua, Sales Director of the Digital Marketing Center at China Southern Airline Media Co., Ltd., subsequently introduced the "High-Quality Green Aviation Service for Healthcare,"​ addressing travel challenges for patients from other regions.

Qi Ying, Deputy Director of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center, presented the "Clinical Application Report of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center,"​ showcasing the center's "report card"​ and highlighting it as a "milestone"​ in Chinese heavy ion medicine's advancement to the global forefront.

Following the presentations, an interactive "Media Q&A and Expert Answers"​ session was held, where authoritative experts addressed questions from attending media and participants regarding heavy ion technology and the green healthcare model.

The event was fully covered by over 20 mainstream media outlets, including People's Daily Health Client, Xinhua News Agency, Beijing Review, Market Economy News, Commercial Times, and China.org.cn.

Guo Yishan, Head of the Organization and Publicity Department, presided over the meeting

Professor Wang Junjie, Director of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center, presented on "Introduction to the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center and Heavy Ion Tumor Therapy Technology"

Professor Chen Yalin, Deputy Chief Physician of the Department of Radiotherapy at Peking University People's Hospital, delivered a speech

Mr. Yang Meng from the leadership of China Southern Airline Media Co., Ltd. shared on "China Southern Airlines' Measures to Support the High-Quality Development of Heavy Ion Therapy"

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

Mr. Chen Suhua, Sales Director of the Digital Marketing Center at China Southern Airline Media Co., Ltd., introduced the "High-Quality Green Aviation Service for Healthcare"

Qi Ying, Deputy Director of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center, presented the "Clinical Application Report of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center"

Expert Q&A and Press Conference.

From technological breakthroughs to safeguarding people's livelihood, the development of China's heavy ion therapy technology is not only a microcosm of high-end medical innovation but also a demonstration 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 cause of cancer prevention and treatment.

Conference Highlights