New Breakthrough in Tumor Radiotherapy! South China's First Proton Therapy Equipment Installed at Southern Hospital Zengcheng Campus

Background

On November 19, 2025, Southern Medical University Nanfang Hospital held a hoisting ceremony for the cyclotron accelerator at the Proton Tumor Treatment Center located on its Zengcheng Campus in Guangzhou. This marked the successful installation of South China's first integrated proton radiotherapy system and Guangzhou's first such proton radiotherapy system core equipment in a public hospital.

The proton therapy center constitutes a core component of the second phase construction of the Zengcheng Campus. The project has been advanced through collaboration between the Zengcheng District government and the hospital to introduce advanced international technology and to elevate regional capabilities in tumor diagnosis, treatment, and research for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and beyond. At the time of the ceremony, overall progress on the second phase of campus construction was reported to be nearing completion, with proton system equipment components entering the installation phase.

What was achieved

The cyclotron accelerator, the core equipment of the integrated system, was hoisted and positioned at a depth of more than 10 meters underground. This step formally transitioned the project from the construction phase into equipment installation, integration, debugging, and clinical validation. The system is expected to enter clinical use in 2027.

Hospital President Sun Jian noted that Nanfang Hospital is the first institution in South China to introduce an integrated proton therapy system and the first public hospital in Guangzhou to adopt proton therapy. Radiation oncology department deputy director Guan Jian (acting head) indicated that the hospital had initiated specialized personnel training programs, including plans to send six staff members abroad for advanced study and to arrange training for additional personnel at domestic hospitals already operating proton therapy systems. A strategic cooperation agreement was signed with Mevion covering proton radiotherapy technology and product R&D, clinical research, and artificial intelligence applications. Proton therapy has been included in the U.S. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) tumor diagnosis and treatment guidelines and is described across reports as a globally recognized high-quality radiotherapy approach applicable to solid tumors.

How it works

Proton therapy is a form of radiotherapy that uses beams of protons rather than conventional high-energy X-rays produced by linear accelerators. In standard X-ray radiotherapy, radiation deposits energy gradually as it travels through the body, affecting tissues both before and after the tumor. Protons are accelerated to high speeds by the cyclotron accelerator. As they pass through tissue, they deposit relatively little energy until reaching a specific depth, at which point they release most of their energy in what is known as the Bragg peak before stopping.

This physical characteristic allows the majority of the radiation dose to be concentrated precisely within the tumor while resulting in very low doses to tissues both in front of and especially behind the target. Hospital representatives described this as enabling treatment that can "hit where pointed" at tumor cells, reducing side effects and better protecting normal tissues. Reports state it is suitable for most solid tumors, covering those of the central nervous system, head and neck, breast, lung, liver, pancreas, and prostate. It is noted as particularly advantageous for pediatric tumors to protect growth and development, for head and neck tumors, early-stage cancers, recurrent tumors, and regionally common cancers such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and breast cancer.

What it means for international patients

Nanfang Hospital has maintained dedicated international patient services since the establishment of its Huiqiao Medical Center in 1979. This center provides one-stop outpatient, inpatient, screening, and specialist care and has served patients from more than 90 countries and regions. In 2026, Nanfang Hospital was selected among the first batch of Guangdong Province international medical service pilot hospitals. It offers medical interpretation and translation support.

The addition of proton therapy capacity at the Zengcheng Campus is expected to expand the hospital's advanced radiotherapy options for suitable oncology cases once the system becomes operational in 2027. International patients should directly contact the hospital to confirm eligibility, treatment availability, appointment and admission processes, language support, and whether services are accessible at the Zengcheng Campus specifically.

About the hospital

Nanfang Hospital, also known as the First Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, is a public Grade III Class A comprehensive teaching hospital in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Founded in 1941, it functions as the university's First Clinical Medical School and integrates clinical care, medical education, scientific research, and preventive healthcare. It operates a main campus in Baiyun District at 1838 Guangzhou Avenue North and the Zengcheng Campus at Innovation Avenue 28, Zengcheng District.

The hospital has developed recognized strengths in multiple fields, including nephrology (home to a National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Disease), oncology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, hematology, gastroenterology, and infectious diseases. Its Huiqiao Medical Center has served as the dedicated international and VIP medical service platform for decades. The official website is nfyy.com (with English pages available).