Proton Therapy Centre

Targeted to be launched in Tsao Yin Kai Block by 2023 the earliest, Hong Kong’s first proton therapy (PT) has been under construction since late 2016. The future PT service will combine technology and efficiency to maximise throughput, while maintaining the optimal quality and experience that patients and families deserve.

In the lead-up to the launch of PT, HKSH Medical Group will continue to work on detailed building design and equipment planning and procurement, staff training and manpower planning. We will also continue to engage key stakeholders including the Eastern District community, medical and healthcare sectors, universities and NGOs, as well as establishing international collaboration with overseas proton therapy centres.

Introducing Proton Therapy to Hong Kong

• What is Proton Therapy (PT)?
  
  PT is a type of radiation therapy. Compared with conventional radiotherapy, which uses photons or X-ray for cancer treatment, PT uses particles called protons extracted from hydrogen and accelerated to target tumour cells.
  
  Due to the unique physical property of protons, the normal tissues of patients undergoing proton treatment are exposed to an extremely low dose of radiation while proton rays penetrate the body at an early stage. High dose of radiation is released when the protons reach the targeted tumour, causing intense tumour destruction. This is called Bragg Peak in physics (see the graph below). Tissues deeper than the targeted tumour are virtually free from any radiation and any damage during treatment.
  
  PT has been developed since 1970s as one of the most advanced technology in combating cancers in children and patients with lung and liver cancers. During PT, normal tissues peripheral to the tumour are exposed to 50% -70% less radiation than conventional radiotherapy using X-rays. Protons can be targeted at tumours with greater accuracy and more optimal dosage than conventional radiotherapy, sparing healthy tissues and adjacent organs from unwanted exposure. This means more effective treatment with fewer side effects, potentially less recurrence for patients and a better quality of life.
  
  
  
  
• Why do we need PT in Hong Kong?
  
  Considered as the best available treatment for paediatric cancers, PT brings hope to paediatric cancer patients by reducing the risk of developing secondary cancer later in life by more than 60% (as compared to conventional radiotherapy). Late effects of radiotherapy in children can be severe, inhibiting growth and development as well as causing organ-function impairment. For example, brain radiotherapy affects neurocognitive functions including IQ, learning, attention, information processing speed, visual-spatial motor, memory, etc.
  
  PT presents a new hope for inoperable liver cancer patients. Liver cancer was the fifth most common cancer in Hong Kong in 2015. In Japan and Korea, the updated clinical data indicates that about 50% of inoperable liver cancer patients survive more than 3 years with PT.
  
  PT has also demonstrated strong clinical results in treating prostate, skull-based, lung, head & neck cancers, etc. with enhanced quality of life, making it a preferrable treatment for most types of cancers.
  
  
• How will the PT Centre be operated in Hong Kong?
  
  The clinical operation of PT will be ambulatory (outpatient), which resembles that of a conventional radiotherapy centre.
  
  Patients without complicated medical problems typically stay at home and come to the PT Centre for daily treatment over several weeks. They can engage their typical normal life immediately after treatment.
  
  
• Proton Therapy Around the World
  
  Cancer is the leading killer in Hong Kong, accounting for 30.5% of all registered deaths in 2016. Cancer incidence has been rising for decades. The risk of developing some form of cancer in one’s lifetime was 1 in 4 men and 1 in 5 women, while 1 in 9 men and 1 in 14 women will die from cancer. Given the enormous demand, it is high time for such an advanced and important treatment option as PT to be made available to patients in Hong Kong.
  
  PT is one of the most advanced treatments for cancer treatment in the world. As at January 2019, there are 89 proton therapy treatment centres in the world with 48 centres undergoing construction and 21 centres in planning stage. In Asia, 26 are in operation; 24 are under construction; and 8 are being planned including our centre.
  
  As the world adopts this technology, it is important to ensure that Hong Kong patients have access to this treatment option, and relevant health professionals are able to gain timely real-world training and experiences. This will help elevate Hong Kong’s reputation in cancer care in Asia.
  
  ReRelated links:
  https://www.healthyhk.gov.hk/
  https://www.hkacs.org.hk/
  https://www.ptcog.ch/index.php/facilities-in-operation
  https://www.ptcog.ch/index.php/facilities-under-construction
  https://www.ptcog.ch/index.php/facilities-in-planning-stage