Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center (SPHIC)

Both proton and carbon ion therapies are forms of particle radiation that exploit the Bragg peak: they deposit the majority of their energy at a precise depth within the tumour, with minimal exit dose beyond it. Carbon ions are heavier than protons and carry a higher linear energy transfer (LET), making them 2–3 times more biologically effective at killing tumour cells per unit of physical dose. Carbon ion therapy is particularly effective against radio-resistant tumour histologies (chordoma, salivary gland tumours, hypoxic tumours) and in anatomical locations where dose escalation with protons alone is insufficient for local control. Proton therapy is the preferred modality for most paediatric tumours, brain tumours, and prostate cancer, where the primary goal is reducing healthy tissue dose rather than overcoming radio-resistance.

SPHIC’s strongest indications are skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas (where carbon ion therapy achieves local control rates of 70–85% at 5 years, surpassing any other modality), nasopharyngeal carcinoma, head and neck cancers with proximity to critical structures, paediatric brain and spinal tumours, and localised prostate cancer. SPHIC is generally not the primary treatment centre for haematological malignancies, cancers requiring surgery, or systemic therapy — for those, China Care coordinates with Fudan University Cancer Center or Ruijin Hospital.

Treatment fractions are typically delivered Monday–Friday. The total number of fractions varies by tumour type and modality: proton therapy for prostate cancer is commonly 20–28 fractions (4–6 weeks); carbon ion therapy for skull base tumours typically runs 16–24 fractions (3–5 weeks). The first week includes simulation and treatment planning, so patients should plan for a total stay of 4–7 weeks depending on the protocol. China Care provides a specific timeline estimate based on your case before travel.

Re-irradiation after prior conventional radiotherapy is one of the more technically demanding indications, but it is a recognised application of carbon ion and proton therapy at SPHIC. Carbon ion’s sharper dose distribution reduces overlap with previously irradiated tissue, making re-treatment feasible in selected cases where conventional re-irradiation would carry unacceptable toxicity. Each case is reviewed individually by SPHIC’s multidisciplinary team.

Yes. SPHIC functions as a specialist referral centre within Shanghai’s broader oncology ecosystem. Patients who need surgery before radiation, or systemic therapy concurrent with or following radiation, are coordinated across institutions. China Care manages this multi-hospital pathway, liaising with SPHIC, Fudan University Cancer Center, or Zhongshan Hospital as the clinical picture requires.

China Care charges a fixed USD 2,000 coordination fee for cancer treatment cases. This covers eligibility pre-screening, S2 visa documentation preparation, appointment scheduling, arrival logistics, in-treatment communication, and discharge documentation. Treatment costs — including all SPHIC facility and radiation therapy fees — are quoted directly by the hospital and are separate. China Care does not add to, inflate, or mark up the hospital’s quoted treatment cost.