By Jin Yingying
In a groundbreaking development for cancer treatment, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital has officially opened its $1.2 billion Heavy Ion Medical Center. This marks the first facility of its kind in the province, equipped with East China’s first domestically produced heavy ion medical device.
Currently, three cities in China--Shanghai, Lanzhou, and Wuwei--offer heavy ion treatment. Zhejiang now joins the list, with the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital’s Heavy Ion Medical Center standing out as the only one built on the main campus of a hospital.
The facility, one of the largest medical projects in the country, covers 13,693 square meters across two underground and three above-ground floors. It houses heavy ion treatment rooms, medical technology facilities, and support systems.
Heavy ion therapy offers a powerful advantage due to its large mass and the acceleration it undergoes in synchrotrons, propelling ions to speeds of up to 70% of the speed of light. The technology targets tumors with precise “Bragg Peak” energy release, ensuring maximum impact on cancerous tissue while minimizing damage to healthy cells.
Moreover, from a biological perspective, heavy ion therapy significantly reduces the risk of tumor recurrence. Unlike traditional radiation therapy, which only causes single-strand DNA breaks, heavy ions can break DNA’s double strands, making it far more difficult for cancer cells to repair and regenerate.
The treatment is particularly effective for most solid tumors, especially in early to middle stages. The hospital has already opened a specialized outpatient clinic for heavy ion therapy, where doctors assess whether patients are suitable candidates for this advanced treatment.