Visit to China's first carbon ion cancer treatment center

Chinanews.

Carbon ion is a kind of heavy ion suitable for the treatment of tumors.

Break the international monopoly of high-end medical devices

This is the most advanced technology in the field of radiotherapy in the world.

Since 1993, Zhong Keyuan Institute of Modern Physics has built a large-scale multi-generation heavy ion accelerator arrangement, through advanced accelerator technology and nuclear detection technology research and development, basic research related to biological therapy, and pre-clinical studies of heavy ion beams, making China the world The fourth country to achieve clinical treatment of heavy ion beams.

China has also independently innovated and completed the overall software solution for heavy ion radiotherapy, breaking the international monopoly of high-end medical equipment.

According to reports, there are more than 4 million new cancer patients and more than 2 million deaths in China each year, and 80% of the patients are in advanced stages when malignant tumors are discovered.

Chen Dongji said that in general, tumors suitable for ordinary photon radiotherapy are basically suitable for heavy ion therapy, with small side effects, short treatment course, and good curative effect.

But he said frankly that heavy ion radiotherapy is not suitable for systemic malignant diseases, such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, etc.

Launching precise "missiles" at tumors does not hurt "innocents"

"Traditional radiotherapy rays passing by will damage normal tissues,'kill a thousand enemies, self-damage 800', and heavy ions have almost no side effects.

Ye Yancheng told reporters that heavy ions can “run” up to 70% of the speed of light.

The reporter walked into the Wuwei Heavy Ion Center of the hospital, and Chen Dongji was treating a patient in Hebei.

Then, the doctor outlines the tumor and normal organs based on CT images, which is equivalent to setting a "target area.

According to the "plan", doctors and physicists will perform verification tests on the planned irradiation position and dose until the irradiation position is consistent with the patient’s lesions, and the irradiation dose is consistent with the prescribed dose, and then the upper-level physician physicist will review and approve the test.

The physicist is a very important member of tumor radiotherapy.

High cost advice to include medical insurance

At present, there are two domestic heavy ion centers that can be used for treatment.

According to statistics, the cost of proton heavy ion therapy in the United States is about 800,000 to 1 million yuan, and that in Japan is about 400 to 500,000 yuan.

For example, Chen Dongji said that if a patient with brain metastases from lung cancer requires precise treatment for both the primary and metastatic lesions, a course of treatment for the primary lesion (regardless of the number of times, charged according to the site) will cost 200,000 yuan, and a metastatic site plus 100,000 yuan will be charged.
In a situation like this, the patient’s treatment would cost 300,000 yuan, and so on.

One of the goals of China's cancer prevention and control action is to increase the overall 5-year cancer survival rate in the country to no less than 46.
6% by 2030.
The number of incidences and deaths of domestic malignant tumors remains high each year, while cancer treatment technology is relatively backward, and the lack of advanced treatment methods is the primary factor restricting the improvement of the survival rate of cancer patients.

To solve the shortage of domestic supply of high-end technical contradiction cancer treatment, to provide effective treatment for the typical refractory tumors, improving cancer survival rates, the CPPCC National Committee , China Ke Xueyuan researcher at the Institute of Modern Physics, Cai Xiaohong had also suggested that part of the tumor-made heavy Ion therapy is included in medical insurance.

Ye Yancheng revealed that the hospital has cooperated with China Life Insurance Company to launch heavy ion medical commercial insurance, allowing patients to share the results of national basic scientific research, enjoy high-tech medical technology, and effectively prevent family financial constraints caused by tumor diseases and prevent illnesses.
Poverty and return to poverty occur.
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