'Dream Cancer Treatment Device' Korea's First Heavy Ion Therapy Center Officially Opens... "A New Era of Cancer Conquest"

Opening Ceremony of Yonsei Medical Center

Yonsei University Medical Center, which introduced the carbon ion therapy system?known as the "dream cancer treatment device"?for the first time in Korea, held an opening ceremony for the Carbon Ion Therapy Center, marking the beginning of the full-scale carbon ion therapy era. After starting treatment of the first patient with a fixed-type therapy system in April, Yonsei Medical Center plans to operate two rotating-type therapy systems by the end of the year, expecting to usher in a new era of cancer treatment.

Guests attending the opening ceremony of the Heavy Ion Therapy Center at Yonsei Medical Center on the 12th are cutting the ribbon.
[Photo by Yonsei Medical Center]

On the 12th, Yonsei Medical Center held the opening ceremony at the Carbon Ion Therapy Center of Yonsei Cancer Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. The center began its first treatment on April 28 for a patient in his 60s with prostate cancer and has treated a total of 10 patients so far. All patients were prostate cancer cases, receiving treatment 12 times over three weeks. A patient in his 50s of Russian nationality was the first foreign patient to complete treatment.

Carbon ion therapy is known to be more effective than the X-ray and proton radiation therapies currently used for cancer treatment in domestic hospitals. Neutrons accelerated from carbon have a much greater mass than X-rays (electrons) and protons (hydrogen ions). Hydrogen is about 20,000 times heavier than electrons, and carbon is 12 times heavier than hydrogen, resulting in a stronger impact on cancer cells.

Yonsei Medical Center Heavy Ion Therapy Center Particle Accelerator. [Photo by Yonsei Medical Center]

Additionally, due to the characteristic of carbon ions releasing maximum energy at the target site, the impact on cancer cells can be further intensified. X-rays affect all biological tissues from the skin to the cancer cells inside the body, so even if a strong impact on cancer cells is desired, energy must be adjusted considering damage to normal cells. In contrast, carbon ions deliver a low radiation dose at the body surface and release most of their energy in the targeted cancer tissue, minimizing the impact on surrounding tissues. This means fewer side effects and aftereffects for patients.

Yonsei Medical Center has introduced a total of three carbon ion therapy systems at the Carbon Ion Therapy Center: one fixed-type and two rotating-type systems. The rotating-type systems rotate 360 degrees to irradiate carbon ions, allowing focused treatment of cancer cells from any direction. Notably, this is the first medical institution worldwide to introduce two rotating-type systems. The average number of treatments is 12, about half that of X-ray and proton therapies. Each patient’s treatment time is only about 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes, but preparation takes time, so with three therapy systems, about 50 patients can be treated daily. Patients experience almost no pain after treatment and can return home immediately. Currently, only the fixed-type system is in operation, but after preparation, the rotating-type systems will be operational by the end of the year. The fixed-type system is applied to prostate cancer, while the rotating-type systems are used for various cancers such as lung, pancreatic, and liver cancers.

Fixed Treatment Room at the Particle Therapy Center.
[Photo by Yonsei Medical Center]

To commemorate the opening and in observance of the Month of Patriots and Veterans, Yonsei Medical Center will provide invited treatment for prostate cancer patients who are currently serving or retired from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the National Police Agency, and the National Fire Agency. Patients recommended by each institution will be selected, and all costs for carbon ion therapy, examinations, and consultations will be covered. Yoon Dong-seop, director of Yonsei Medical Center, said, "With the significant treatment option of carbon ion therapy for intractable cancers, we will continue our efforts to conquer cancer," adding, "To fulfill the social responsibility of medical institutions, we plan to provide invited treatment for prostate cancer patients who have made great contributions to the nation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.