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 for patients with incurable cancers and offer new treatment opportunities.
On June 11, Asan Medical Center held a groundbreaking ceremony for the heavy ion therapy center, marking the first step in introducing state-of-the-art cancer treatment equipment.
The new center will span a total area of 39,502 square meters (approximately 11,949 pyeong) and will consist of a 12-story building (three underground and nine above ground). It will be the largest heavy ion therapy center in the country, featuring two rotating treatment machines and one fixed treatment machine, all equipped with the latest technology.
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 reported to be 2 to 3 times more powerful than conventional radiation therapy while minimizing damage to normal tissues by focusing on cancer cells.
Notably, Asan Medical Center's heavy ion therapy equipment will utilize a multi-ion beam system that incorporates not only carbon ions but also helium, neon, and oxygen. This advancement is expected to minimize damage to healthy tissues and effectively eliminate resistant tumors, making it applicable for pediatric tumors as well.
The therapy is anticipated to provide new hope for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers, including 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 irradiation range and a higher dose rate compared to existing treatment machines, allowing for treatment over a larger area in a shorter time, significantly reducing the burden on patients."
Additionally, Asan Medical Center plans to implement an imaging guidance system using CT equipment to accurately reflect changes in tumor size and position during treatment, enabling personalized treatment for patients.
Jung 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 patients with difficult cancers, is a way to carry on the legacy of my late father, Chung Ju-yung, the founder."
Park Seung-il, President of Asan Medical Center, expressed, "We expect this to not only enhance treatment outcomes for cancer patients but also significantly strengthen the global competitiveness of Asan Medical Center."
On June 11, Asan Medical Center held a groundbreaking ceremony for the heavy ion therapy center, marking the first step in introducing state-of-the-art cancer treatment equipment.
The new center will span a total area of 39,502 square meters (approximately 11,949 pyeong) and will consist of a 12-story building (three underground and nine above ground). It will be the largest heavy ion therapy center in the country, featuring two rotating treatment machines and one fixed treatment machine, all equipped with the latest technology.
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 reported to be 2 to 3 times more powerful than conventional radiation therapy while minimizing damage to normal tissues by focusing on cancer cells.
Notably, Asan Medical Center's heavy ion therapy equipment will utilize a multi-ion beam system that incorporates not only carbon ions but also helium, neon, and oxygen. This advancement is expected to minimize damage to healthy tissues and effectively eliminate resistant tumors, making it applicable for pediatric tumors as well.
The therapy is anticipated to provide new hope for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers, including 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 irradiation range and a higher dose rate compared to existing treatment machines, allowing for treatment over a larger area in a shorter time, significantly reducing the burden on patients."
Additionally, Asan Medical Center plans to implement an imaging guidance system using CT equipment to accurately reflect changes in tumor size and position during treatment, enabling personalized treatment for patients.
Jung 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 patients with difficult cancers, is a way to carry on the legacy of my late father, Chung Ju-yung, the founder."
Park Seung-il, President of Asan Medical Center, expressed, "We expect this to not only enhance treatment outcomes for cancer patients but also significantly strengthen the global competitiveness of Asan Medical Center."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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