Pancreatic cancer, often dubbed the "King of Cancers," claims nearly 3,000 lives annually in Taiwan. However, the Heavy Ion Cancer Treatment Center at Taipei Veterans General Hospital (TVGH) has demonstrated a breakthrough with its "Risk-Stratified, Dose-Escalated" treatment model. Clinical data shows a 95% local tumor control rate after one year of treatment.

Since its inauguration in 2023, the center has treated 609 patients (as of Nov 4, 2025), with pancreatic cancer representing the largest cohort (186 patients), followed by prostate and liver cancers.

Key Findings:

• Superior Outcomes: Utilizing a personalized approach that delivers varying doses from the tumor core to the periphery, TVGH achieved a 95.5% one-year local control rate, surpassing Japan’s reported 90%.
• Lower Toxicity: The incidence of significant side effects was under 5%, significantly better than the 20% observed in Japanese clinical studies.
• International Recognition: These findings were recently published in the prestigious journal Radiotherapy and Oncology.

Dr. Yi-Chun Lai of the Department of Heavy Ion and Radiation Oncology urged patients not to view a pancreatic cancer diagnosis as a death sentence. Early intervention with chemotherapy, followed by heavy ion therapy where clinically and financially feasible, can significantly extend survival.

Resource: 北榮重粒子治胰臟癌 成效優於日本