PROTON & CARBON ION THERAPY
BRAIN TUMOURS AT SPHIC SHANGHAI
China's most advanced particle therapy centre — offering proton and carbon ion beams for brain tumours where photon radiotherapy cannot spare critical structures or where biological effectiveness needs to be higher.
analyticsAt a Glance
- check_circleSPHIC Shanghai operates both proton and carbon ion beams — one of only ~15 centres globally with carbon ion capability
- check_circleCarbon ion therapy offers 2–3× higher radiobiological effectiveness vs photon RT — especially relevant for radio-resistant tumours
- check_circleIndications: glioma, meningioma, chordoma, skull base tumours, craniopharyngioma, paediatric brain tumours
- check_circleCancerFax coordinates eligibility review, medical record submission, pre-treatment consultation, and logistics for international patients at SPHIC
What Is Proton and Carbon Ion Therapy and Why Does It Matter for Brain Tumours?
Particle therapy uses heavy charged particles — protons or carbon ions — instead of X-rays (photons) to deliver radiation. The fundamental physical difference is the Bragg peak: particles deposit most of their energy at a defined depth in tissue, then stop — unlike photons, which continue beyond the tumour.
“The Bragg peak is why particle therapy exists: it means dose falls to near-zero beyond the target, protecting normal brain tissue in a way that photon radiotherapy physically cannot.”
Proton Therapy
Uses protons (hydrogen nuclei). The physical dose distribution (Bragg peak) allows steep dose fall-off — reducing radiation to the brainstem, optic nerves, hippocampus, and pituitary. Biological effectiveness is ~10% higher than photons (RBE 1.1).
Carbon Ion Therapy
Uses carbon-12 ions — heavier particles with an even sharper Bragg peak AND 2–3× higher biological effectiveness (RBE 2–3) compared to photons. Carbon ions kill radio-resistant tumour cells (including those in hypoxic regions) more efficiently — a critical advantage for high-grade gliomas and skull base chordomas.
SPHIC Shanghai — About the Centre
Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center (SPHIC) opened in 2014 and is operated jointly by Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and the Shanghai Municipal Government. It is the first and largest proton-and-carbon-ion facility in China, and one of only approximately 15 centres globally offering both modalities.
Technology and Capacity
SPHIC operates a synchrotron-based system with 5 treatment rooms — 4 proton rooms and 1 carbon ion room. The system delivers pencil-beam scanning (PBS), the most conformal particle therapy delivery technique, enabling highly precise dose sculpting around critical structures.
Clinical Volume and Experience
SPHIC has treated over 3,000 patients since opening — approximately 60–70% are oncology patients, with brain and skull base tumours representing one of the largest patient groups. The centre publishes its clinical outcomes data and participates in international collaborative studies.
Brain Tumour Indications at SPHIC — When Is Particle Therapy Preferred?
Not every brain tumour requires particle therapy — but for specific anatomical situations and tumour types, the dosimetric and biological advantages are clinically significant.
| Tumour Type | Preferred Modality at SPHIC | Clinical Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Skull base chordoma / chondrosarcoma | Carbon ion (preferred) or proton | Radio-resistant tumours adjacent to brainstem — high-dose carbon ion achieves >80% local control vs ~50% with photons |
| Glioblastoma (GBM) re-irradiation | Carbon ion or proton | Re-irradiation with particle therapy allows higher dose to recurrent GBM with reduced risk to previously irradiated normal brain |
| Grade 2–3 glioma | Proton | Proton reduces integral dose to normal brain — particularly valuable in young patients facing 10–20 years of cognitive function |
| Meningioma (skull base / cavernous sinus) | Proton | Proximity to optic chiasm, pituitary, and brainstem — proton achieves sharp conformality around these structures |
| Craniopharyngioma | Proton | Hypothalamic and optic apparatus preservation — proton therapy reduces endocrine and visual late effects vs photon IMRT |
| Paediatric brain tumours | Proton | Reducing whole-brain and craniospinal radiation dose in children — reduces cognitive, endocrine, and secondary cancer risk |
| Uveal melanoma | Proton | Ocular proton therapy preserves vision in 80%+ of cases — established alternative to enucleation |
How International Patients Access SPHIC via CancerFax
SPHIC accepts international patients through a structured process. CancerFax manages the complete pathway — from record submission to treatment planning and on-ground logistics in Shanghai.
- 1
Medical Record Compilation
CancerFax collects MRI scans (DICOM preferred), pathology report, prior treatment summary, and current medication list. A structured summary is prepared in English and Chinese for SPHIC review.
- 2
SPHIC Case Review
Records submitted to the SPHIC multidisciplinary tumour board (MDT) — consisting of radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, and physicists. The MDT assesses eligibility and provides an initial treatment recommendation including proposed modality, dose, and fractionation.
- 3
Pre-Treatment Virtual Consultation
For eligible patients, a video consultation with the SPHIC treating radiation oncologist is arranged — available with simultaneous interpretation. Patients can ask questions about the treatment plan and logistics.
- 4
Travel and Logistics
CancerFax arranges visa support documentation, airport pickup, accommodation near SPHIC (Jiading district, Shanghai), and an on-ground coordinator for the treatment period.
- 5
Treatment and Follow-Up
Treatment typically runs 2–6 weeks depending on fractionation. Daily sessions are 15–30 minutes. Post-treatment MRI is performed before discharge. CancerFax coordinates digital transmission of follow-up scans to SPHIC for remote review.
Particle Therapy Outcomes — Key Published Data
SPHIC and international proton/carbon ion centres have published outcome data demonstrating the clinical advantage of particle therapy for specific brain tumour subtypes.
Skull Base Chordoma — Carbon Ion Therapy
Source: Mizoe et al (NIRS), Schulz-Ertner et al (HIT); SPHIC published series in Radiotherapy and Oncology
- 5-yr local control — carbon ion~80%
- 5-yr local control — photon RT~50%
Grade 2 Glioma — Proton vs Photon Dosimetry
Source: Comparative planning studies; PROG 9702 trial long-term data
- Normal brain dose reduction — proton vs IMRT30–50%
- Tumour coverage (GTV D95)>95%
SPHIC Cost and Practical Numbers
Particle therapy at SPHIC is significantly less expensive than comparable centres in the US, Germany, or Japan — making it the most accessible particle therapy option for international patients in Asia.
- ¥150K–350KTypical treatment cost at SPHIC (RMB)~USD 21,000–49,000 depending on modality (proton vs carbon) and fractionation. Costs vary by treatment complexity.
- 2–6 wksTypical treatment duration in ShanghaiStandard fractionation for brain tumours is 20–30 fractions (proton) or 12–15 fractions (carbon ion). Hypofractionation protocols are available.
- >3,000Patients treated at SPHIC (2014–2024)Making SPHIC the highest-volume particle therapy centre in Asia and one of the most experienced centres globally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from international patients considering particle therapy at SPHIC Shanghai.
Does SPHIC treat all types of brain tumours?
SPHIC focuses on cases where particle therapy offers a clear advantage over photon radiotherapy — particularly skull base tumours, chordomas, grade 2–3 gliomas in young patients, paediatric brain tumours, and re-irradiation cases. Glioblastoma (GBM) is treated but typically as re-irradiation or combined with systemic therapy, not as a routine alternative to photon RT for newly diagnosed GBM.
What language do the doctors speak at SPHIC?
All clinical staff at SPHIC speak Mandarin Chinese. Senior faculty often speak English at a clinical level. CancerFax provides a dedicated English/Hindi/Arabic-speaking coordinator for the treatment period, and interpreters are available for consultations on request.
How is proton therapy different from Gamma Knife — can I have both?
Gamma Knife delivers a high, ablative single dose to small discrete lesions (typically <3–4 cm) — it is radiosurgery. Proton therapy delivers a fractionated course of radiation to larger volumes, including the tumour bed after surgery. They are used for different clinical scenarios — some patients receive both (e.g., proton therapy to the tumour bed, Gamma Knife to a separate small metastasis).
What imaging does SPHIC need to assess eligibility?
SPHIC requires: (1) MRI brain with and without gadolinium — DICOM files strongly preferred; (2) pathology report with WHO grade and molecular markers if available; (3) summary of prior treatment (surgery, prior RT, chemotherapy). CancerFax helps compile and translate these into the format required by SPHIC's MDT.
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Explore related guides on brain tumour treatment options and specialist centre access.
How CancerFax Helps
CancerFax is a specialist cancer access and patient-navigation platform. We help patients and families understand their options, organise medical records, coordinate hospital communication, and support cross-border treatment planning where appropriate.
We help collect and organise reports, scans, pathology, biomarker results, and treatment history for structured case review.
We communicate with hospitals or trial teams to assess whether a case may be suitable for further screening.
We support appointment coordination, document submission, translation, and direct communication with international departments.
For international patients, we help with practical coordination — travel planning, hospital admission guidance, and local support.
If this option is not suitable, we help explore other relevant treatments, clinical trials, or advanced care pathways.
From inquiry through to follow-up, our coordinators provide a single point of contact for the family.
CancerFax does not guarantee treatment access, eligibility, or clinical outcome. Our role is to help patients access accurate information, structured review, and appropriate specialist pathways.
Is Particle Therapy at SPHIC the Right Option for Your Brain Tumour?
CancerFax reviews your MRI, pathology, and prior treatment history, submits your case to the SPHIC multidisciplinary team, and coordinates the eligibility consultation, travel logistics, interpreter support, and treatment planning review for international patients.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified oncologist before making treatment decisions.