Medical experts at the Hefei Ion Medical Center conduct proton radiation therapy on the first patient on Dec 30. [Photo/WeChat ID: hefeigaoxinfabu]

The Hefei Ion Medical Center conducted its first clinical trial via proton radiation therapy on a 66-year-old chordoma patient on Dec 30.

The treatment signals that the Hefei Ion Medical Center, which is the first radiation treatment center in China that introduced Varian proton therapy system, has officially began clinical trials.

"With strong support from Hefei, the Hefei Ion Medical Center worked with its partners for six years before this major breakthrough," said Zhang Hongyan, chief medical expert at the center.

The first clinical trial was successfully completed within 30 minutes that afternoon. The patient walked out of the treatment room with a big smile on his face. "I didn't feel any pain at all during the whole treatment process. I never expected to be able to enjoy such advanced treatment technology in Hefei."

Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy that uses protons to send high-energy beams to treat tumors. It can deliver cancer-killing power concentrated on tumors with minimal harm to surrounding healthy tissue, causing fewer side effects compared with traditional treatments.

The Hefei Ion Medical Center is an international cancer treatment center focusing on the most advanced treatment technologies for proton and photon therapies. It is located in Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone, Hefei, East China's Anhui province.

Experts in the treatment team applaud excitedly after the first proton radiation therapy is successfully completed. [Photo/WeChat ID: hefeigaoxinfabu]

The first patient who received proton radiation therapy leaves the treatment room. [Photo/WeChat ID: hefeigaoxinfabu]