HKSH Medical Group (HKSH) announced today the grand opening of the HKSH Proton Therapy Centre (the Centre) – the first of its kind in Hong Kong. Located at the HKSH Eastern Medical Centre in A Kung Ngam, Shau Kei Wan, the Centre boasts two state-of-the-art treatment rooms and a cutting-edge proton therapy system.
This system comprises two half-rotating proton therapy gantries, a synchrotron-based accelerator and an advanced beam transport system. The system is ingeniously positioned in a vertically stacked format, making it an excellent example of compact design configurations suitable for densely populated urban areas like Hong Kong.
Since commencing initial operations in July this year, the Centre has provided proton therapy to about 40 cancer patients aged between seven and 88. These cases encompass a wide range of cancer types, including 26 breast cancer cases and six paediatric cancer cases, while the rest are prostate, head & neck, thorax and craniospinal cancers. All six paediatric cancer cases were referred by the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital. These paediatric cases involve neuroblastoma, synovial sarcoma, maxillary sinus sarcoma, maxillary sinus carcinoma and craniopharyngioma.
The ageing population of Hong Kong has led to an uptick in cancer cases, with approximately one in four people developing cancer before the age of 75. To provide comprehensive support for patients facing aggressive types of cancer, HKSH aims to empower them with a wider range of treatment options tailored to their unique conditions.
With the addition of the proton therapy system, HKSH now has one of the most extensive ranges of radiotherapy facilities worldwide. Mr Wyman LI, Chief Operating Officer of HKSH Medical Group and Director of Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, said, “The inauguration of the HKSH Proton Therapy Centre signifies a new chapter in cancer management in Hong Kong. It further underscores our commitment to establishing a centre of excellence in oncology. In addition to the essential hardware and infrastructure, we have also assembled a growing team of highly specialised and multidisciplinary oncology experts, including clinical oncologists, radiation therapists, medical physicists, medical dosimetrists and specialised nurses.”
HKSH is also a leading pioneer among international medical institutions in offering state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance (MR) guidance technology in proton radiotherapy. Dr Ben YU, Head of Medical Physics Department at HKSH Medical Group, explained, “imaging is particularly crucial for tumours located in organs that undergo motion, such as the lung or liver. It ensures accurate targeting of the proton beam by tracking the tumour’s movement, allowing clinicians to adjust the depth and intensity of the proton beam accordingly. This approach enables the tumour to receive an optimal dose while minimising the risk of damaging surrounding healthy tissues.”
HKSH will continue to collaborate with the public sector and the medical schools of Hong Kong’s universities to conduct clinical treatment, provide medical training, and engage in scientific research using this advanced proton beam system. With the accumulation of clinical application experience, HKSH aims to push the boundaries of proton therapy and improve outcomes for cancer patients. It is anticipated that 400 to 600 patients across a broad range of cancer types will benefit from proton therapy annually when the Centre is fully operated.
Source: Company Press Release
