A Better Option – Joint Clinic Report by Professor Feng Qinfu and Our Radiotherapy Team

Heavy Ions for Lung Cancer: A Better Option – Joint Clinic Report by Professor Feng Qinfu and Our Radiotherapy Team

Lung cancer, often called the "number one cancer killer," has consistently ranked first in both incidence and mortality among malignancies in China. For many patients who have lost the opportunity for surgery or cannot tolerate conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, every treatment decision directly affects both the length and quality of life. In the era of precision medicine, radiotherapy is undergoing revolutionary transformation. Cutting‑edge technologies such as heavy ion therapy — with their unique "Bragg peak" effect — can precisely deliver energy to the tumor target while causing minimal damage to surrounding normal tissues such as the heart and lungs, making them especially suitable for treating thoracic tumors.

On July 29, Professor Feng Qinfu from the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, made his regular visit to our hospital for clinical work. The purpose of his visit was to conduct in‑depth joint consultations, ward rounds, and academic exchanges with our Second Department of Radiotherapy team — integrating national‑level clinical expertise with our hospital's advanced heavy ion capabilities.

A "Hands‑On Expert" with Decades of Experience in Thoracic Oncology

Professor Feng Qinfu has specialized in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of thoracic tumors since 1992, with profound expertise in the comprehensive management of lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and thymic tumors, as well as in the prevention and treatment of radiation‑induced lung injury. Since 2008, he has been a pioneer in China in the clinical practice of intraoperative radiotherapy for malignant tumors, accumulating extensive experience in managing complex cases.

Making Treatment Plans More Precise, Giving Patients Greater Peace of Mind

During ward rounds, Professor Feng listened attentively to our hospital's physicians as they presented complex cases of lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and other thoracic tumors. Drawing on his decades of clinical experience, he shared his approach to balancing precise target volume delineation with protection of normal organs when using heavy ion therapy for thoracic tumors. He emphasized that while heavy ion therapy offers significant physical dosimetric advantages, these must be complemented by accurate target definition and individualized comprehensive treatment strategies to maximize therapeutic efficacy.

Addressing radiation‑induced pneumonitis — a common challenge in thoracic radiotherapy — Professor Feng shared his unique insights into its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, providing valuable clinical guidance for the department's junior physicians.

Domestically Produced Heavy Ions Bring New Hope to Lung Cancer Patients

As a leading hub for heavy ion therapy technology in Gansu Province, our Second Department of Radiotherapy (Thoracic Oncology) — built on the foundation of China's first domestically produced heavy ion therapy system — has accumulated extensive experience in precision radiotherapy for thoracic tumors, including lung cancer and esophageal cancer. The department routinely performs individualized heavy ion/photon radiotherapy, precise target volume delineation, and respiratory‑gating techniques. Heavy ion therapy, with its unique physical and biological advantages, offers a more effective "precision strike" option for patients with thoracic tumors.

Professor Feng Qinfu's visit is a vivid reflection of our hospital's commitment to "gathering world‑leading technologies to benefit cancer patients everywhere." Through regular exchanges with experts from the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, we are advancing the integration of cutting‑edge technologies with standardized care — ensuring that both are applied directly at the bedside of every patient.

Writer: Yang Yang  

First Review: Yang Yang  

Second Review: Guo Yishan  

Third Review: Cai Qinghua

Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital (Wuwei Academy of Medical Sciences)

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