Asan Medical Center (AMC), South Korea’s highest-volume cancer hospital, has announced a groundbreaking initiative to establish the nation’s largest heavy ion therapy facility, with operations planned to begin in 2031. This ambitious project, developed in collaboration with Toshiba ESS and DK Medical Solutions, aims to introduce cutting-edge carbon ion therapy to patients battling some of the most challenging and treatment-resistant cancers.
The planned facility, encompassing over 40,000 square meters on AMC’s Pungnap-dong campus in Seoul, will feature two rotating gantry systems and a fixed beam system. This infrastructure is designed to deliver high-precision, image-guided therapy, marking a significant advancement in personalized cancer care.
What is Heavy Ion Therapy
Heavy ion therapy system is an advanced treatment technology that uses heavy particles like carbon ions to eliminate cancer cells with greater precision and intensity. By directing high-energy ion beams to cancer cells, the therapy minimizes damage to healthy tissue while concentrating its effects on the cancer itself.
What is Carbon Ion Therapy
Carbon ion therapy, a form of heavy ion radiotherapy, utilizes charged carbon particles to target and destroy cancer cells with exceptional precision. Unlike conventional photon or proton therapies, carbon ions have a higher biological effectiveness, making them particularly potent against tumors that are resistant to standard treatments. This approach allows for the delivery of higher radiation doses directly to the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
Asan Medical Center is planning to implement a next-generation multi-ion source that will use not only carbon ions but also helium, neon, and oxygen ions. This technology aims to minimize damage to healthy tissue, effectively target treatment-resistant tumors, and potentially be used for pediatric cancers.
With the launch of our heavy ion therapy system in 2031, Asan Medical Center will have the largest and most advanced cancer treatment facility in South Korea."
Highest Cancer Treatments in Korea
The World Health Organization reports that in 2022, there were approximately 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths worldwide. Projections indicate that the global cancer burden will increase by about 77% by 2050, highlighting the urgent need for advanced treatment modalities.
In South Korea, Asan Hospital plays a pivotal role in cancer care, treating over 1.1 million cancer patients annually and performing approximately 20,000 cancer surgeries each year. Notably, one in every eight cancer patients in the country receives treatment at AMC, highlighting its central role in the nation’s oncology landscape.
Carbon Ion Therapy Facilities Worldwide
Despite its clinical advantages, carbon ion therapy remains limited in availability due to the substantial investment required for facility construction and operation. As of recent data, there are approximately 12 operational carbon ion therapy centers worldwide, located in countries such as Japan, Germany, Italy, China, and Austria.
Japan leads in this domain, with multiple centers including the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) in Chiba and the Hyogo Ion Beam Medical Center. Europe hosts facilities like the Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT) in Germany and the National Centre for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO) in Italy. China has also made significant strides, with centers in Lanzhou and Shanghai.
The introduction of such a facility in South Korea positions Asan Medical Center among the global leaders in advanced cancer treatment, expanding access to this cutting-edge therapy in the Asia-Pacific region.
Cancer Medical Tourism in South Korea
South Korea has emerged as a prominent destination for medical tourism, attracting patients worldwide with its high-quality healthcare services and advanced medical technologies. The establishment of the carbon ion therapy center at the Asan Hospital in Korea will further bolster the country’s appeal to international patients seeking specialized cancer treatments.
Medical tourists often seek treatments that are unavailable or prohibitively expensive in their home countries. With the addition of carbon ion therapy, Asan Hospital Korea offers a compelling option for patients requiring precision cancer treatment at one of the best cancer hospitals in South Korea.
Future of Cancer Care
Asan Hospital Korea’s initiative to develop the largest carbon ion therapy center in South Korea represents a significant advancement in the global fight against cancer. By providing access to this highly effective treatment modality, Asan Hospital Korea aims to improve outcomes for patients with intractable cancers and solidify its position as a leader in oncology care.
As the global cancer burden continues to rise, the expansion of carbon ion therapy facilities is crucial in meeting the growing demand for effective and precise cancer treatments. Asan Medical Center’s commitment to innovation and excellence in patient care sets a benchmark for institutions worldwide, offering hope to countless individuals battling cancer.
About Medical Travel Market (MTM)
MTM Global is a London based international healthcare communications consultancy and online concierge platform specializing in premier health tourism.
For all corporate and media inquiries, click here.
