First proton therapy center in Northwest China opens in Xi'an

The first proton therapy center in Northwest China was put into use during the 2026 Xi'an Conference on Proton Therapy for Cancer, which was held on March 15 at Xi'an International Medical Center Hospital.

The conference brought together top experts from multiple countries, including China, South Korea, and Uzbekistan, to discuss cutting-edge technologies and promote international cooperation.

Proton therapy is the world's most advanced radiation therapy technology. Unlike conventional radiotherapy, proton beams possess unique physical properties: they release all their energy only when reaching the specified depth of the tumor, enabling stereotactic and focused irradiation. This effectively kills tumor cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues, making it an important approach for the diagnosis and treatment of complex tumors.

The center is based on a total investment of 1 billion yuan ($14.49 million). It covers an area of 2,339 square meters. The center's hardware configuration is world-class.

Yin Qiang, president of the hospital, said the center is equipped with the internationally advanced Varian ProBeam 360° proton therapy system, which can provide more optimized solutions for complex solid tumors such as pediatric tumors, head and neck tumors, and liver cancer. The center will promote the regional upgrading of standardized and homogenized tumor diagnosis and treatment, and contribute to the construction of a healthier China.

Fan Daiming of the Chinese Academy of Sciences said the launch of the center in Northwest China is an important milestone in optimizing the allocation of medical resources and narrowing the gap between China's eastern and western regions, which will significantly improve the regional capacity for tumor prevention and treatment.

Professor Shi Mei, chief expert of the center, gave a detailed interpretation of the indications where proton therapy shows superior advantages over alternatives, and its clinical value. She said the center is not only the pride of the hospital, but also a scientific and technological highlight of Shaanxi province and the entire northwest region.

The center is now open to the public, providing consultation and appointment services for patients.

"We will continue to optimize diagnosis and treatment procedures, conduct clinical research and technical promotion of proton therapy, and advance the localized application of proton therapy technology, so that this advanced tumor treatment can benefit more patients," Shi added.