China's Heavy Ions Step onto the Global Stage

China's Heavy Ions Step onto the Global Stage

--The multi-lesion single-treatment technology at Wuwei Heavy Ion Center has amazed global counterparts

From November 11 to 16, the 12th International Training Course on Carbon Ion Radiotherapy was held in Japan. At the conference, China's multi-lesion single-treatment technology attracted widespread attention and admiration from global peers.

During the conference, numerous internationally renowned experts expressed their appreciation for China's advancements in heavy ion therapy. A German radiation oncology specialist remarked, "China's breakthroughs and explorations in heavy ion therapy technology have made tremendous contributions to global oncology treatment. Particularly, the success of its single-session treatment for multiple lesions has provided invaluable experience and references for the international medical community."

The participation of Wuwei Heavy Ion Center in this international exchange program in Japan was not only a valuable opportunity for communication and learning, but also an important platform to showcase international cooperation and technological advancements. During the training course, Professor Jia-Ming Wu, Chief Physicist of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, and Qi Ying, Deputy Director of Lanzhou Branch of Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital, presented to the attendees the technological innovations and latest achievements in clinical applications at Wuwei Heavy Ion Center.

According to available information, since its clinical operation began, the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center has successfully treated nearly 1,600 patients. These patients come from all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across China, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as from international destinations such as Belgium and Australia. The treatment outcomes have demonstrated remarkable efficacy, with patients showing excellent tolerance throughout the therapeutic process.

The center has developed a range of globally pioneering technologies including high-frequency oscillation breathing-controlled heavy ion precision therapy, bladder volume-precise management technology for bladder cancer treatment, surgical spacer placement between organs and tumors for single-session heavy ion therapy, and "heavy ion surgical technique" combining organ motion control for one-time treatment. It has also compiled and published six monographs including "Standard Operating Procedures for Carbon Ion Radiotherapy" and "Radiation Safety Management and Equipment Operation Guidelines for Carbon Ion Therapy." The center comprehensively implements the "biological, social, and psychological" medical model to provide comprehensive, whole-life-cycle health management services. It is actively exploring China's approach of combining heavy ion therapy with traditional Chinese medicine for tumor treatment, striving to establish China's first specialized heavy ion tumor rehabilitation and wellness institution.

In September this year, after four and a half years of clinical application, the Wuwei Heavy Ion Therapy System was upgraded with the commissioning of Treatment Bays 3 and 4, which are equipped with robotic-arm treatment couches. This upgrade reduced patient positioning time from 30 minutes to under 15 minutes and increased treatment capacity from 50 patients per month to 100 patients per month. In November, all four treatment bays of the Lanzhou Heavy Ion System were fully operational, enabling Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital to treat patients across eight treatment bays simultaneously, raising the monthly treatment capacity to 200 patients and providing more convenient and efficient medical services for cancer patients.

The impressive debut of Wuwei Heavy Ion Center at the international training course in Japan not only showcased China's innovation capabilities and technological prowess in carbon ion radiotherapy, but also made significant contributions to advancing global healthcare development. Moving forward, Wuwei Heavy Ion Center will continue to uphold the principles of open collaboration and innovative development, working hand-in-hand with international peers to promote continuous advancements and widespread adoption of carbon ion radiotherapy technology.