Yonsei Cancer Center Expands Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy to Head and Neck Cancers, Sarcomas, and Recurrent Rectal Cancer

World’s first medical institution to operate three carbon-ion treatment units, including two rotating gantry systems

Yonsei Cancer Center has expanded the application of carbon-ion radiotherapy to include head and neck cancers, sarcomas, and recurrent rectal cancer, further broadening its treatment options for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.

Since becoming the first medical institution in Korea to begin carbon-ion radiotherapy for prostate cancer in 2023, Yonsei Cancer Center has progressively expanded treatment to pancreatic, liver, and lung cancers. The latest expansion extends the therapy to cancers that may be difficult to treat surgically or resistant to conventional radiotherapy.

Carbon-ion radiotherapy uses accelerated carbon ions to precisely target and destroy cancer cells. Due to the physical characteristics of the Bragg peak, a high radiation dose can be concentrated on the tumor while reducing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

For head and neck cancers, treatment can be particularly challenging because critical structures related to vision, breathing, speech, and swallowing are concentrated in the area. Carbon-ion radiotherapy may provide an additional treatment option for selected tumors that are difficult to remove surgically or resistant to conventional radiation.

Sarcomas, which arise in tissues such as bone, muscle, fat, blood vessels, and nerves, can also be difficult to treat when they occur near the spine, pelvis, sacrum, or skull base. Their relative resistance to conventional radiotherapy can further complicate treatment.

Recurrent rectal cancer has also been added to the treatment indications. When rectal cancer recurs in the pelvis, surgery may be challenging because the tumor can involve nearby structures. Patients who have previously undergone pelvic radiotherapy may also face limitations on additional radiation treatment.

Along with expanding the eligible cancer types, Yonsei Cancer Center has begun full operation of its second rotating gantry carbon-ion treatment unit. The center now operates one fixed-beam unit and two rotating gantry units.

According to the hospital, Yonsei Cancer Center is the first medical institution in the world to simultaneously operate three carbon-ion treatment units, including two rotating gantry systems.

The rotating gantry can move 360 degrees around the patient, allowing physicians to select irradiation angles according to the location and shape of the tumor and the position of surrounding organs.

With all three units in operation, the center has established the capacity to treat approximately 40 patients per day and 10,800 patients annually.

Yonsei Cancer Center plans to continue expanding personalized treatment strategies by integrating carbon-ion radiotherapy with standard cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and conventional radiotherapy.

Source: Segye Ilbo / Yonsei Cancer Center, August 19, 2026