Proton therapy delivers a precise dose of radiation directly to the tumor site, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. That allows a higher, more effective radiation dose to the tumor with fewer short- and long-term side effects. Proton therapy is particularly beneficial for treating complex tumors, as well as those located near sensitive areas such as the brain, head and neck, lungs, abdomen, prostate, or along the spine.

Proton therapy is also highly effective in treating pediatric patients as it can prevent developmental issues and reduce the risk of future cancer development.

Learn more about the benefits of proton therapy.

Proton therapy is an effective treatment for many types of cancers, but most typically for solid tumors that have not spread to other parts of the body.

See the types of cancers we treat at the Guangzhou Concord Cancer Center.

Because every cancer is different, we encourage you to talk to your physician or contact us to learn if proton therapy is right for you.

The first step is to speak with a member of our Intake team. They will gather information about your diagnosis, including medical records, and present it to one of our experienced radiation oncologists to determine whether you may be a candidate. You can contact us directly to inquire about a consultation, or you can be referred to us by your oncologist.

Side-effects from proton therapy vary depending on medical history, age, diagnosis and treatment plan. Common symptoms include fatigue and irritation on the skin that is in the direct path of the radiation. Compared to conventional radiation therapy, however, proton therapy can significantly reduce the risk of developing and the severity of short- and long-term side effects. Potential side effects will be discussed in-depth during your consultation.

Proton therapy is a non-invasive, state-of-the-art treatment that is safe and can reduce side effects and better preserve quality of life compared with traditional photon radiation therapy. It has been approved as a cancer treatment by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1988.

Yes. Proton therapy is typically the safest and sometimes the only radiation treatment that can effectively treat a recurrent tumor while protecting nearby healthy normal tissues. This allows some patients a new chance for a cure.

No. Proton therapy has been approved by the FDA since 1988 and has been used effectively for decades. The clinical data validate proton therapy as an effective form of cancer treatment that is neither experimental nor investigative.

Yes. In fact, proton therapy is uniquely appropriate for a variety of pediatric cancers. It can significantly reduce the potential for developmental abnormalities, growth delays, reductions in IQ, and other long-term complications that often result from conventional radiation.

Learn more about pediatric patient treatment options.

For more information, please contact us or call our patient admission service department toll free at 86-400-830-7338. They will answer common questions about proton therapy and assist you in scheduling a consultation with a radiation oncologist. Before arranging a patient consultation, our case manager will first contact the patient and collect a series of clinical reports and research materials. After obtaining this information, we will arrange a consultation as soon as possible according to your schedule. During the consultation, doctors will evaluate whether proton therapy is the best treatment option.

Proton therapy has been officially applied in research institutions since 1988. Although proton therapy technology has existed for a long time, the number of facilities is still limited. Even though there are dozens of proton therapy centers in the United States today, less than 1% of all radiation therapy is proton therapy. Therefore, your doctor may not fully understand the benefits of proton therapy. You can consult your doctor about whether you are suitable for proton therapy, or contact us immediately for more information.

The frequency and duration of proton radiotherapy vary depending on the patient's condition, tumor type, stage, and physical condition. Generally, the number of treatments ranges from 20-30, with 5 treatments per week and a duration of about 4-6 weeks. A single treatment takes about 15-30 minutes and is painless throughout the entire process. Doctors will develop personalized treatment plans based on individual circumstances to ensure treatment effectiveness. At the same time, we will optimize the time schedule for international patients and minimize their stay period.

Before radiotherapy, a series of examinations are required, including CT simulation positioning, MRI examination, PET-CT examination (if necessary), etc., to accurately determine the tumor location and range. The doctor will also comprehensively evaluate the physical condition, including blood routine, liver and kidney function, heart and lung function, etc., to ensure tolerance to radiotherapy. At the same time, the medical team will provide one-on-one health guidance and psychological counseling based on the client's condition before radiotherapy.

External radiation therapy (including proton beam therapy) is non-invasive; Therefore, patients will not feel any discomfort during the treatment period.

Compared with other radiation therapy options, proton therapy can reduce side effects during and after treatment. However, patients may experience side effects during treatment. When these side effects occur, your radiation oncologist and nursing team will be responsible for managing these symptoms.

Once the tumor location is accurately determined, the proton therapy course may take 4 to 8 weeks. The appointment time is usually 15 to 45 minutes, but the actual proton beam emission time averages only 1 to 3 minutes. Most of the time is spent adjusting the patient's position and adjusting the equipment in the treatment room. The treatment process is non-invasive, so patients can usually continue with daily activities. For more details, please refer to the proton therapy process.

Generally speaking, the cost of proton therapy is covered by medical insurance or other insurance companies. To reduce potential financial uncertainty, we will review this information together with you after your consultation. We have a full-time team of financial advisors who will discuss your insurance coverage with you and answer any questions you may have.

Only required when your insurance requires it. If you need a referral, our referral team will do their best to secure a referral for you.

If there is no international medical insurance, medical expenses need to be paid out of pocket. The cost depends on many factors that affect your treatment plan, such as diagnosis, disease staging, and prescription dosage. The hospital accepts cash (RMB), bank card (supporting common credit cards and debit cards at home and abroad), WeChat payment, Alipay payment and other payment methods. For high-end customers, flexible payment methods such as cross-border payments can also be provided.

We have established cooperative relationships with multiple internationally renowned medical insurance institutions. [Attached is a picture of the insurance partner, in English version]. Before seeking medical treatment, you can contact the insurance company to confirm whether the insurance plan covers in-hospital treatment expenses and understand the claims process and requirements. The hospital customer service center and the commercial insurance office will assist in insurance claims related matters, but the final claim results will be subject to the review of the insurance company. For high-end customers, hospitals can provide more efficient insurance claims docking services to accelerate the claims process.

Proton therapy is usually outpatient treatment, and you can choose to be hospitalized or only receive outpatient treatment. We can also assist in arranging accommodation near the hospital (such as cooperative hotels or short-term rental apartments), and family members can accompany us throughout the entire process.

The hospital has multiple medical staff who can provide English services. In addition, to facilitate overseas patients' medical treatment, the hospital also has a translation team that can provide services in multiple languages such as English, Japanese, Korean, etc., covering various aspects such as outpatient visits, inpatient communication, and medical record interpretation, ensuring smooth communication between patients and medical staff. At the same time, for high-end customers, one-on-one exclusive translation and accompanying services can be provided.

China does not require a medical visa, you can enter using a regular tourist visa (L visa). If you need an invitation letter to assist with visa application, we can provide an official treatment invitation letter.

We provide lifelong follow-up services: the first follow-up will be conducted 1-3 months after treatment (with treatment records required); Support remote image review (files can be submitted via email); International patients can arrange video consultations

We provide transportation services for airport transfers.