Why Proton Therapy
Conventional photon radiotherapy delivers dose along the entire beam path, including healthy tissue beyond the tumor. Proton therapy uses the Bragg peak — protons release most of their energy at a specific depth, with sharply reduced exit dose. The result: lower toxicity to normal tissue, especially valuable for pediatric cases, brain tumors, and tumors near critical organs.
Active Proton Centers in China (2026)
- Shanghai Proton & Heavy Ion Center
- Hefei Ion Medical Center (Anhui Province)
- Wanjie Proton Hospital (Shandong)
- Hong Kong Sanatorium Proton Center
- Guangzhou Concord Proton Center
SSAnkang has direct coordination relationships with three of these for foreign patients.
Best Indications
- Pediatric cancers — leukemia survivors with secondary tumors, medulloblastoma, ependymoma. Proton significantly reduces lifetime secondary cancer risk vs photon.
- Brain tumors in or near optic nerves, brainstem
- Skull base tumors — chordoma, chondrosarcoma
- Prostate cancer for select patients
- Lung cancer with central tumors near the heart
- Recurrent cancers in previously irradiated fields
Treatment Timeline
Proton therapy is fractionated over 4–8 weeks, depending on tumor type:
- Brain tumors: 30 fractions, 6 weeks
- Prostate: 21–28 fractions, 4–5.5 weeks
- Pediatric: variable, often 30+ fractions
Each fraction takes 15–30 minutes; you'll have one fraction per weekday. Serviced apartment accommodation is recommended over hotel for stays this long — see our accommodation guide.
Cost
- Full course: ¥220,000–380,000 (USD 30,800–53,200)
- Compare US: $80,000–150,000 typically
Pre-Treatment Workup
- Multidisciplinary tumor board review (we coordinate)
- CT/MRI simulation
- Custom immobilization mask or vac-bag fabrication
- Treatment planning (5–10 days)
- Plan QA and approval
Family Considerations
For pediatric patients, both parents typically travel. We arrange schooling support (3–4 hours daily of remote curriculum) and family accommodation. Long-stay support includes case-manager check-ins twice weekly throughout treatment.
Who Is Not a Candidate
- Patients with widely metastatic disease (palliative photon is more appropriate)
- Tumors that move significantly with respiration without gating capability
- Patients without a clear photon-vs-proton advantage on tumor-board review
Honest assessment is part of our coordination service — we will tell you if proton therapy doesn't add clinical value over standard photon for your case.
