New Hope for Patients with Incurable Cancer as Asan Medical Center Breaks Ground on Largest Heavy Ion Therapy Center in Korea

Asan Medical Center has officially begun construction on the largest heavy ion therapy center in South Korea. Scheduled to be operational by 2031, the center aims to provide personalized precision medicine and new treatment options for patients with incurable cancer.

On June 11, Asan Medical Center held a groundbreaking ceremony for the heavy ion therapy center, marking the first step in introducing advanced cancer treatment technology.

The center will span a total area of 39,502 square meters (approximately 10,949 pyeong) and will consist of 12 floors, including three underground levels and nine above ground. It will house the most advanced equipment, including two rotating treatment machines and one fixed treatment machine, making it the largest heavy ion therapy center in the country.

Heavy ion therapy is a radiation treatment method that accelerates ions, such as carbon, to nearly the speed of light and precisely targets cancer cells with heavy ion beams. This method is 2 to 3 times more effective than conventional radiation therapy while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

Notably, Asan Medical Center's heavy ion therapy equipment will utilize a multi-ion beam system that incorporates various particles, including helium, neon, and oxygen, in addition to carbon ions. This approach is expected to effectively eliminate resistant tumors while minimizing damage to normal tissues, making it applicable for pediatric tumors.

The therapy is anticipated to provide new hope for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, lung cancer resistant to existing treatments, sarcomas, kidney cancer, and recurrent cancers.

An official from Asan Medical Center stated, "The heavy ion beam has a wider treatment range and higher dose rate compared to existing treatments, allowing for broader areas to be treated in a shorter time, significantly reducing the burden on patients."

Additionally, the center will implement an imaging guidance system using CT equipment to accurately reflect changes in tumor size and location during treatment, enabling personalized care for patients.

Chung Mong-joon, chairman of the Asan Foundation, remarked, "Many patients continue to suffer from incurable diseases. The introduction of heavy ion therapy equipment, which offers new treatment opportunities for those with difficult cancers, is a way to honor the legacy of my late father, founder Chung Ju-yung."

Park Seung-il, president of Asan Medical Center, expressed optimism, stating, "This will not only enhance treatment outcomes for cancer patients but also significantly strengthen the global competitiveness of Asan Medical Center."