China’s dedicated precision radiation oncology centre — one of fewer than 15 facilities globally offering carbon ion (heavy ion) therapy. Carbon ion treatment at SPHIC costs approximately USD 45,000–60,000, compared to USD 100,000–120,000 in Germany or Japan. Not every tumour type qualifies for particle therapy — China Care helps you work out whether SPHIC may be a suitable option for your case, and coordinates the eligibility review and full travel logistics before you commit to travelling.
Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center (上海市质子重离子医院, SPHIC) is China’s first and most specialised facility for particle radiation therapy. Opened in 2014 in Pudong and jointly established by the Shanghai Municipal Government together with leading academic institutions, SPHIC operates as a dedicated 3A specialty hospital focused exclusively on proton beam therapy and carbon ion (heavy ion) therapy.
Carbon ion therapy is the most biologically effective form of radiation currently available for solid tumours. Carbon ions deposit energy precisely at the tumour site (the Bragg peak effect), deliver 2–3 times higher radiobiological effectiveness than conventional photon radiation, and cause significantly less damage to surrounding healthy tissue than X-ray or even proton-based treatment. SPHIC is one of only a small number of centres in the world that can offer carbon ion therapy, alongside facilities in Germany, Japan, Austria, and Italy — fewer than 15 globally.
Proton therapy at SPHIC is particularly valuable for tumours adjacent to critical structures — skull base, brainstem, optic nerve, spinal cord, and paediatric tumours where radiation dose to developing tissue must be minimised. SPHIC uses the pencil beam scanning technique, the most precise proton delivery method currently available, allowing three-dimensional dose shaping around irregular tumour volumes.
For international patients, SPHIC’s cost advantage is substantial. Carbon ion therapy in Germany or Japan costs USD 100,000–120,000 for a full course. At SPHIC, equivalent treatment is available at approximately USD 45,000–60,000 with no reduction in technical capability. China Care coordinates the full eligibility assessment and in-Shanghai logistics for patients travelling for treatment.
| Location | Proton Therapy | Carbon Ion Therapy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | USD 150,000–250,000 | Not widely available |
| Germany / Japan | USD 80,000–120,000 | USD 100,000–120,000 |
| SPHIC Shanghai | USD 30,000–45,000 | USD 45,000–60,000 |
Treatment costs quoted directly by the hospital. Estimates vary by tumour type, fractions, and complexity. China Care provides a case-specific cost estimate before travel.
Carbon ion therapy delivers 2–3 times higher tumour-killing effectiveness than conventional X-ray radiation while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. It is the treatment of choice for radio-resistant tumours, skull base tumours, chordomas, chondrosarcomas, and selected head and neck cancers. With fewer than 15 centres globally offering this modality, SPHIC is one of the most accessible options for patients outside Europe and Japan.
Carbon ion therapy at SPHIC costs approximately USD 45,000–60,000 for a full treatment course. The same treatment in Germany or Japan costs USD 100,000–120,000. Proton therapy at SPHIC runs approximately USD 30,000–45,000, compared to USD 150,000–250,000 in the United States. The technology and clinical protocols are equivalent — the cost difference reflects healthcare system economics, not quality.
For brain tumours, skull base lesions, spinal tumours in children, and cancers near the optic pathway, minimising radiation dose to healthy developing tissue is critical. SPHIC’s pencil beam scanning proton therapy and carbon ion programme are specifically suited to these cases, offering dose precision that conventional IMRT or VMAT cannot achieve. Proton therapy is standard of care for many paediatric CNS tumours.
Finding a treatment centre’s name is easy. Knowing whether it’s actually the right one for your situation is much harder — that’s where China Care helps.
Most international patients researching SPHIC are unsure whether proton or carbon-ion therapy is genuinely appropriate for their case, or whether another treatment approach might serve them better. China Care helps you answer questions like:
SPHIC treats solid tumours where the precision of particle therapy offers a clear advantage over conventional photon radiotherapy.
Finding a treatment centre is the easy part. Understanding whether it’s the right one for your situation is harder — China Care guides you through that, from initial guidance through to on-the-ground support in Shanghai.
China Care coordinates the full pathway from initial eligibility review through to on-the-ground support during your treatment course in Shanghai.
Send your pathology reports, staging scans, and prior treatment history. For re-irradiation cases, include all prior radiotherapy records and dose maps. We review your records and prepare a bilingual case summary within 1–2 working days. Not all tumour types are suitable for particle therapy — we confirm clinical fit before you travel.
records review · 1–2 daysBefore you travel, China Care conducts a Case Investigation into whether proton or carbon ion therapy is genuinely appropriate for your case. This may include medical record and imaging review, eligibility assessment against SPHIC’s treatment criteria, specialist discussion, and a proxy consultation where appropriate — where China Care attends SPHIC in person and consults with the radiation oncology team on your behalf. The team reviews your case, confirms whether proton or carbon ion therapy is indicated, and provides an initial treatment timeline. We report back with the specialist’s assessment.
This is a paid service, agreed with you upfront, covering hospital registration, the proxy consultation, and real-time interpretation. Already in China? Skip this step. After the Case Investigation confirms eligibility, you will travel for a planning CT and treatment simulation before fractions begin.
case investigation · fixed fee · results same dayOnce eligibility is confirmed, you travel to Shanghai. The first week at SPHIC typically includes planning CT/MRI, immobilisation mask or mould fitting, and treatment planning review. The formal treatment plan and cost estimate are confirmed at this stage. China Care’s coordinator accompanies you throughout the simulation process.
planning simulation · treatment plan & cost confirmedDaily treatment fractions are delivered Monday–Friday for 3–6 weeks depending on the protocol. All treatment fees are paid directly to SPHIC in RMB — no international credit cards. China Care remains your point of contact for translation, clinical questions, and logistics support throughout. Bilingual escort strongly recommended as clinical communications on the ward are in Mandarin.
daily fractions · RMB payment direct to hospitalFull treatment summary, dosimetry records, and response assessment imaging are delivered digitally at the end of the treatment course. China Care provides guidance for continuing oncology management at home and can arrange remote follow-up scheduling with SPHIC radiation oncologists for post-treatment queries.
treatment records · post-treatment supportWhichever stage you’re at, China Care’s role is the same: help you make an informed decision, not just a booking.
Understand your options before travelling — including whether SPHIC or another treatment approach is a suitable fit for your case.
Learn more →Appointments, interpreters, and facility coordination once you’re ready to move forward.
Learn more →Support before, during, and after treatment in China — from admission through to follow-up care.
Learn more →We’ll help you understand whether SPHIC — or another treatment approach in China — may be a better option for your situation.
China Care coordinates your case with SPHIC’s clinical team. Treatment costs are quoted directly by the hospital. We never add to or mark up the hospital’s quoted treatment cost.