A heavy ion ark built on the bank of Yellow River enables the stranded lives to set sail again.

A heavy ion ark built on the bank of Yellow River enables the stranded lives to set sail again

Building on the foundation of China’s first heavy ion cancer therapy system, the second Chinese heavy ion therapy system officially commenced clinical operations in November 2024 at the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center, located on the banks of the Yellow River. As of now, the center has completed photon and heavy ion treatments for 100 patients, covering over 40 disease types, including lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and glioblastoma, with satisfactory clinical outcomes. Empowered as a "national strategic asset", this medical center is now fulfilling its noble mission of safeguarding lives, enabling stranded vessels of life to set sail once more.

Operated by Wuwei Cancer Hospital and leveraging the profound research expertise of the Institute of Modern Physics,  the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center has successfully broken the foreign monopoly on this cutting-edge technology, bringing its benefits to a wide range of cancer patients and emerging as a new beacon of hope in their lives.

The talent team is the core of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center. Under the leadership of Professor Wang Junjie, who holds the positions of President of the Center and Chairman of the Radiation Oncology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, the center has established 50 specialized expert groups led by renowned specialists, including Professor Shen Wenjiang, Lifetime Honorary Professor of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Peking University Health Science Center, and Professor Xu Bo, Standing Committee Member of the Radiation Therapy Branch of the Chinese Medical Association. These experts collaborate to develop comprehensive, life-cycle treatment plans.

The center is equipped with state-of-the-art medical devices, including the Varian VitalBeam medical linear accelerator, Elekta Infinity 4D image-guided linear accelerator, 256-slice ultra-high-end spiral CT scanner, and a 3.0T large-bore MRI simulation and positioning system. These cutting-edge technologies enpower the delivery of streamlined and precise diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients throughout patients treatment course.

On its journey to advance cancer treatment, the Lanzhou Heavy Ion Center has actively integrated technology with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pioneering a distinctive oncology care model with Chinese characteristics. This approach provides patients with comprehensive and personalized treatment plans, rekindling hope for countless cancer patients. (Photo provided by Wuwei Cancer Hospital)