Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH) has reached a significant milestone at its Heavy Particle Therapy Center, treating its 500th cancer patient. To mark the occasion, the medical team prepared a special farewell for the patient before his return home, celebrating the successful completion of his treatment. According to Dr. Yu-Ming Liu, Director of the Center for Heavy Particle and Radiation Oncology at TVGH, 90% of patients receiving this advanced therapy are from Taiwan, while the remaining 10% are international patients—primarily from Southeast Asia. Among the treated cancers, pancreatic cancer, known for its treatment difficulty, accounts for the largest share.
On June 30, the Center welcomed its 500th patient—a liver cancer patient from Kaohsiung who had responded well to treatment. After completing his therapy, the medical team prepared fresh fruit to celebrate the moment. The patient expressed surprise at being the 500th case and gratitude for being able to access such an advanced international-level treatment without leaving Taiwan. He shared his hope that his experience would encourage more patients to seek out top-tier cancer care available domestically.
TVGH began clinical trials of carbon ion therapy in 2022 and officially launched the treatment on May 15, 2023. Dr. Wui-Chiang Lee, Vice Superintendent of the hospital, noted that despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the medical team pushed forward with trials and evaluations, ultimately establishing a stable and effective carbon ion therapy program. He highlighted the advantages of this treatment, such as its unique physical properties that allow for precise tumor targeting while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue—making it particularly suitable for hard-to-treat cancers like pancreatic cancer and osteosarcoma.
Dr. Lee added that TVGH is actively collaborating with leading international medical institutions, including the Mayo Clinic, to broaden the range of treatable conditions. These efforts not only enhance the hospital’s competitiveness in cancer treatment but also elevate Taiwan’s global visibility in advanced oncology care.
Dr. Liu further explained that among the 500 patients treated to date, the majority were from Taiwan, but the center has also treated patients from Southeast Asia and the United States who traveled specifically for this therapy. Pancreatic cancer made up the largest portion at 30%, followed by prostate, liver, and lung cancers. The relatively mild side effects of carbon ion therapy are one of the key factors influencing patients’ choice of treatment. The 500th patient, for instance, opted for this therapy because of its safety and effectiveness.
In addition to carbon ion therapy, TVGH has also accumulated nearly 500 cases of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), making it the only medical institution in the world currently offering both of these advanced forms of radiation therapy. The hospital is now constructing a new generation accelerator-based BNCT system, which is expected to expand treatment options for more patients in the future.
Resource: 北榮重粒子500例達陣！胰臟癌三成最多 吸引東南亞癌友
