Department of Radiation Oncology V: Specialty in Heavy-Ion Treatment of Head and Neck Tumors

Radiotherapy Department V, Wuwei Cancer Hospital Heavy Ion Center

(Head and Neck Tumors & Central Nervous System Tumors)

Delivering Precise Radiotherapy, Devoted Wholehearted Care

I. Department Overview

Department Nature:This department is a key, advantaged discipline of the hospital and a specialized clinical first-level department for head, neck, and neurological tumors equipped with heavy ion therapy. It is a modern tumor radiotherapy center integrating medical treatment, teaching, and research functions.

Development History:The department was formally established in March 2022. Although relatively new, it started from a high baseline and has developed rapidly. Based on the heavy ion therapy system, the department quickly established a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment system and has now become a technologically leading department in the field of head, neck, and central nervous system tumor diagnosis and treatment within the region.

Values:Adhere to the concept of sincerity, benevolence, and compassion, upholding the principle that life is paramount; focus on head and neck tumor treatment, implementing precise medical care; carry out radiotherapy with craftsmanship, accompanying patients throughout their journey with warmth; apply exquisite medical skills with a benevolent heart, forging new hope with sincere dedication.

II. Talent Team and Academic Echelon

Team:The department has a streamlined medical team of nearly twenty personnel. Among them, there are two physicians with senior professional titles, two with intermediate titles, and two with master's degrees, forming an experienced and skilled core fo

Core Experts:

Department Director:Hu Tingchao, Associate Chief Physician

Engaged in clinical tumor radiotherapy work for over 20 years, with profound attainments particularly in the precise radiotherapy of head and neck tumors and central nervous system tumors. Currently holds academic positions such as Committee Member of the Gansu Provincial Radiotherapy Committee and Committee Member of the Particle Therapy Branch of the China Association of Medical Equipment. He has presided over multiple scientific research projects and new technologies and is one of the experts in China who took the lead in the clinical application of heavy ion therapy.

Department Deputy Director:Yin Chaosheng, Associate Chief Physician

Visiting scholar at Tri-Service General Hospital and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan Province; Standing Committee Member of the Chenzhou Medical Association Oncology Professional Committee; Standing Committee Member of the Chenzhou Anti-Cancer Association; Committee Member of the Clinical Nutrition Professional Committee of the Hunan Medical Education and Technology Association. Certified through the Taiwan radiotherapy specialist physician training. Specializes in heavy ion therapy for head, neck, and neurological tumors, other precision radiotherapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, and comprehensive cancer prevention and treatment. With twenty years of experience, he has successfully treated over two thousand cases of head and neck tumors including nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Talent Structure:The department team is highly educated, young, and creative. The talent echelon is reasonably constructed, with senior experts setting the direction, middle-aged backbone staff shouldering major responsibilities, and young physicians growing rapidly, ensuring the department's continuous innovative capability.

Nursing Team:The nursing team adheres to the service philosophy of "Quality, Precision, Humanity." All members have received specialized nursing training for head, neck, and neurological tumors, enabling them to provide patients with full-cycle, professional, and humane nursing care from treatment through rehabilitation.

III Scope of Diagnosis & Treatment and Technical Features

Primary Scope of Diagnosis and Treatment:

Head and Neck Tumors:Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, oral cancer, laryngeal cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, paranasal sinus cancer, parotid gland cancer, thyroid cancer, etc.

Central Nervous System Tumors:Glioma (including high-grade and low-grade), meningioma, pituitary adenoma, acoustic neuroma, brain metastases, spinal cord tumors, etc.

Lymphoma:Particularly lymphoma primary to the head, neck, and central nervous system.

Core Technologies/Specialized Technologies:

Heavy Ion Radiotherapy:As the department's "ace technology," heavy ion therapy is acclaimed as the most advanced radiotherapy technology available today. It performs "stereotactic targeting" on tumors, possessing strong killing power while causing minimal damage to surrounding normal tissues. It is particularly suitable for tumors resistant to conventional radiotherapy, adjacent to critical organs (such as the brainstem, optic nerves), or difficult-to-operate skull base and spinal tumors, significantly improving treatment outcomes and patients' quality of life.

Precise Radiotherapy Technology System:Comprehensively implements advanced technologies such as Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) and Stereotactic Radiosurgery/Radiotherapy (SRS/SBRT), ensuring that each treatment meets the standards of "Rapid, Precise, and High-Quality."

Personalized Comprehensive Treatment:Develops personalized comprehensive treatment plans integrating radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy based on the patient's genetic profile and disease stage.

IV. Hardware Facilities and Research Platform

Advanced Equipment:The department is equipped with a globally leading heavy ion therapy system, two high-end linear accelerators, as well as equipment including large-bore simulation CT, PET-CT, and MRI, establishing a world-class hardware platform that provides a solid guarantee for achieving precise treatment.

Research Platform:As an important component of the hospital's clinical research center, the department benefits from the hospital's dedicated medical clinical trial institution and has established cooperative relationships with several national-level laboratories. It focuses on research in cutting-edge fields such as the radiobiological effects of heavy ions and mechanisms of tumor radioresistance.

Research Achievements:In terms of scientific innovation, Radiotherapy Department V of Wuwei Cancer Hospital consistently adheres to the principle of "research driven by clinical needs, research feeding back into clinical practice." In recent years, it has made breakthrough progress in radiotherapy research for head, neck, and central nervous system tumors, forming a distinctive feature centered on the clinical application research of heavy ion technology.

Core Research Directions and Key Achievements:As one of the first clinical departments in China to carry out heavy ion therapy for tumors, the department's work focuses on applying heavy ion therapy to difficult conditions such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, skull base tumors, chordoma, and brain glioma. This practice provides valuable evidence-based medical data for establishing heavy ion therapy standards in China. Furthermore, the department has initiated a "Phase II Clinical Study of Photon Combined with Heavy Ion Therapy for High-Grade Glioma." This project signifies key progress made by the department in tackling one of the most challenging brain tumors. The aim of this study is to provide patients with high-grade glioma a new opportunity and a superior treatment plan that holds promise for significantly prolonging survival and improving quality of life. Preliminary research data have shown encouraging treatment efficacy and a favorable safety profile.

Teaching and Training:

As a designated internship teaching base for Lanzhou University Medical College and a regional training center for visiting physicians, the department undertakes the clinical rotation and training of resident physicians. It admits and trains intern students from clinical medicine, medical imaging, and other majors, as well as regional visiting physicians annually. A systematic, multi-level, and high-standard education and training system has been established, with personalized training plans developed for each trainee. A "One-on-One Mentor Responsibility System" is implemented, where physicians with senior professional titles serve as mentors, providing guidance throughout their clinical practice, skill operation, and academic research. The department regularly holds "Complex Case Discussions" and "New Technology Reading Report" activities, fostering a strong academic atmosphere and encouraging the participation of resident physicians, interns, and visiting physicians to facilitate mutual learning and improvement.

V. Service Philosophy and Patient Care

Service Philosophy:We consistently uphold the "patient-centered" principle. What we provide is not only medical technology but also medical services filled with humanistic care and comprehensive support for patients.

Specialized Services:

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Consultations: Regularly hold MDT meetings weekly, bringing together experts from radiotherapy, surgery, internal medicine, medical imaging, pathology, and other fields to formulate the optimal initial treatment plan for each patient.

Whole-Process Management for Cancer Patients: Implements a whole-process management model under the "Attending Physician Responsibility System" from the patient's initial outpatient visit, through treatment, to post-discharge follow-up, ensuring the continuity and safety of the treatment process.

Humanized Facilities and Support: With hospital support, the ward area creates a warm and comfortable atmosphere, equipped with a patient health education room, psychological counseling room, and provides support such as nutritional guidance and traditional Chinese medicine rehabilitation training, aiming to alleviate the physical and mental stress of patients and their families from all angles.

VI. Contact Information

Department Location: Second floor, main building, Wuwei Cancer Hospital Heavy Ion Center.

Outpatient Hours: All day, Monday to Friday.