Precise Puncture to Disperse the Fog of Uncertainty, Expert Guidance to Safeguard Health

— Our Hospital Successfully Performs High-Risk Lung Puncture Biopsy

Recently, the minimally invasive intervention team at our hospital successfully performed a complex and challenging CT-guided percutaneous biopsy on a patient suspected of having bilateral lung metastases following pelvic chondrosarcoma surgery. The procedure was conducted with the expertise of Professor Guo Fuxin from the Radiation Oncology Department of Peking University Third Hospital. Post-surgery, the patient was safely returned to the ward with no complications.

                Tumor in the left lower lung lobe                 Nodule in the right lower lung lobe

The condition is complex: the metastasis is adjacent to the "lifeline"

Patient Xu, female, 41 years old, sought medical attention due to "multiple pulmonary nodules detected two years after pelvic chondrosarcoma surgery." Imaging examinations revealed multiple nodules and masses in both lungs and subpleural areas, particularly a lesion in the left lower lung lobe. Its location is critical, as it lies in close proximity to vital large vascular structures such as the superior vena cava and left ventricle. Determining the nature of these lesions is crucial for deciding the subsequent treatment plan, including the suitability for advanced therapies such as heavy-ion radiotherapy. However, conventional biopsy approaches carry extremely high risks, as even minor deviations could lead to severe complications such as hemorrhage.

Experts leading the way: Top-tier technologies resolve high risks

Faced with this challenge, our hospital promptly initiated a multidisciplinary consultation (MDT). Leveraging the routinely operational "National Chief Expert Daily Consultation" platform, we invited Professor Guo Fuxin from the Department of Radiation Oncology at Peking University Third Hospital—a leading authority in China in the field of interventional therapy for thoracic oncology—to provide guidance and lead the operation.

Precise operation: "Life sampling" completed within millimeters

On January 24, 2026, following thorough preoperative preparation and discussion, the procedure officially commenced. The patient was placed in a prone position and secured with a vacuum cushion to ensure stability throughout the surgery. An enhanced CT scan was first performed to precisely delineate the three-dimensional relationship between the target lesion and the surrounding blood vessels. The optimal biopsy path was meticulously planned to avoid critical structures, and accurate surface markings were made accordingly. Under local anesthesia, Professor Guo Fuxin, with his proficient technique, guided the biopsy needle precisely and steadily through the skin to the predetermined target under real-time CT guidance. Multiple intraoperative scans confirmed the accurate positioning of the needle tip, and high-quality tissue samples were successfully obtained. The entire procedure proceeded smoothly, with no complications such as pneumothorax or hemorrhage observed during or immediately after the operation, achieving "millimeter-level" precision in targeting the high-risk lesion.

Institutional Empowerment: Enjoy National-Level Diagnosis and Treatment Without Leaving the Province

In recent years, Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital has achieved significant milestones in advancing the Heavy Ion Therapy Alliance and the establishment of 50 expert workstations. As the only hospital in the world operating two heavy ion therapy systems simultaneously, Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital remains steadfastly committed to the continuous development and innovation of cancer treatment technologies. The Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center is the second domestic heavy ion clinical application center independently developed and operated by Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital. This system commenced clinical operations at the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center on November 15, 2024. To date, the center has completed photon and heavy ion treatments for over 400 patients, covering conditions such as lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and glioblastoma.

The successful completion of this highly complex biopsy procedure represents another achievement resulting from our hospital's deepened implementation of the "National Chief Expert Daily Consultation" mechanism. By routinely introducing top-tier experts from various sub-specialties of oncology across the country, this mechanism not only enables cancer patients in Gansu and even the broader northwestern region to access first-class diagnostic and therapeutic services locally, eliminating the need for long-distance travel, but also significantly enhances the technical capabilities and experience of our local medical team. This is accomplished through on-site surgical guidance, discussions on challenging cases, academic lectures, and other forms of knowledge exchange.

Professor Shen Wenjiang, Lifetime Honorary Professor of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Peking University Health Science Center

Professor Wang Junjie, President of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center of Gansu Provincial Wuwei Cancer Hospital and Chairman of the Oncology Radiotherapy Branch of the Chinese Medical Association

Professor Ma Lulin, Chief Physician and Professor in the Department of Urology at Peking University Third Hospital

Professor Xu Bo, Chief Physician in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Peking University Cancer Hospital

Professor Yasuo Yoshioka, renowned Japanese expert in brachytherapy and oncology from the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research

Professor György Kovács, Honorary Retired Professor at the University of Lübeck (Germany) and Director of the Education Program at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Italy)

In the future, the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital will continue to expand its roster of top-tier experts and refine the integrated talent cultivation system of "clinical practice, education, research, and application." With a stronger team of professionals, more precise treatment technologies, and higher-quality medical services, the center will build a solid defense line for the life and health of patients in Gansu and surrounding regions, allowing the inclusive light of "China's heavy ion technology" to illuminate the northwestern land.

Minimally Invasive Interventional Department

The Minimally Invasive Interventional Department of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center at Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital was established under the leadership of President Wang Junjie. It brings together renowned experts in minimally invasive interventional oncology therapy from within and outside the province. The department specializes in minimally invasive interventional treatments for tumors, complementing the limitations of radiotherapy to form a comprehensive cancer treatment system.

The department is equipped with 30 inpatient beds, offering a pleasant hospital environment and comprehensive facilities. It is currently outfitted with advanced medical equipment, including a GE digital subtraction angiography (DSA) system, a large-bore spiral CT scanner, microwave and radiofrequency ablation devices, pulsed radiofrequency machines, a radioactive seed implantation and planning system, high-definition ultrasound, and a regional circulatory hyperthermic perfusion therapy system. The department specializes in performing various minimally invasive procedures under the guidance of DSA, CT, and ultrasound for tumor treatment. Additionally, it provides minimally invasive interventions for common conditions such as large venous varicosities, arteriovenous fistulas, diabetic foot, and other peripheral vascular diseases.

Representative Technologies of The Department

Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) for Tumors;  

Hyperthermic Intrapleural Chemotherapy (HITOC) for Tumors;  

Radioactive Seed Implantation Therapy;  

CT-Guided Liver Tumor Ablation;  

CT-Guided Microwave Coagulation Therapy for Pulmonary Nodules;  

CT-Guided Argon-Helium Cryoablation for Pulmonary Nodules;  

Ultrasound-Guided Microwave Coagulation Therapy for Liver Nodules;  

Ultrasound-Guided Thyroid Nodule Biopsy;  

Ultrasound-Guided Axillary Lymph Node Biopsy;  

Ultrasound-Guided Microwave Coagulation Therapy for Thyroid Nodules;  

DSA-Guided Deep Vein Thrombectomy;  

DSA-Guided Pulmonary Artery Embolization;  

DSA-Guided Chemoembolization for Tumor Vasculature;  

DSA-Guided Peripheral Vascular Angioplasty;  

DSA-Guided Aneurysm Occlusion;  

Microwave Coagulation Therapy for Great Saphenous Vein;  

DSA-Guided Revision of Arteriovenous Fistula;  

DSA-Guided Cerebral Angiography and Embolization;  

DSA-Guided Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS).