Proton therapy brings vitality back to patient diagnosed with rare glioma; over 500 cases treated – A new chapter in particle therapy with the introduction of hyperthermia therapy

This marks a new milestone in cancer treatment for the TMU System. To expand the depth and breadth of cancer treatment, and in so doing improve treatment benefits and enhance care capabilities for advanced and recurrent cancers, Taipei Medical University Hospital (TMUH) introduced a novel hyperthermia treatment for malignant tumors in June. When applied together with proton therapy, the treatment sets a new standard for particle therapy in Taiwan.

TMU President Mai-Szu Wu described the achievement of over 500 patients treated at the Proton Center as a joint effort between medical team and patients, as well as a demonstration of the TMU System’s unwavering commitment to advancing cancer treatment. TMU will ensure the integration of clinical experience and research resources to provide patients with treatment options that are safer, more effective, and internationally recognized.

Dr. Chun-Ming Shih, TMUH Superintendent, pointed out that the TMU Proton Center is the first proton therapy facility located in a metropolitan area of Taiwan, and has accumulated extensive clinical experience. Also, the pediatric team has been honored with a Gold Prize in the 25th National Healthcare Quality Awards.

Dr. Hsin-Lun Lee, the Director of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the TMU Proton Center, explained that proton therapy’s high precision makes it particularly effective for treating cancers in areas where vital organs are concentrated, and tumors close to vital organs, nerves, blood vessels, and other particularly vulnerable areas. These cancers include neuromas; childhood cancers (e.g., brain tumors, neuroblastomas, and sarcomas); head and neck cancers; left-sided breast cancers (near the heart); and inoperable liver cancers and prostate cancers. To date, the 2-year disease-free survival rate for patients has remained at 100%, with very low incidence of side effects. This demonstrates that the center’s treatment capabilities is comparable to benchmark institutions worldwide.

The center’s clinical achievements are also evident in patients’ recovery journeys. Take the case of Mr. Kao, for example. He was in his 40s when he was diagnosed with a rare, highly malignant spinal cord glioma, after having previously experienced urinary difficulty and leg weakness. However, upon completion of 25 proton therapy sessions administered by the TMU team, his tumor had shrunk significantly, and he regained leg function. Today, he is able to walk with a single crutch and has successfully regained his quality of life.

Dr. Yen-Lin Liu, Director of the Hematology/Oncology Section in the Department of Pediatrics, noted that when such gliomas are rarely found in an adult’s spinal cord, they progress rapidly and the treatment involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In this case, the ultra-fast pencil beam scanning and high-resolution CT (HRCT) enabled TMU to precisely locate tumors in the body, thereby enhancing the patient’s safety during treatment and minimizing side effects. The technique offers new hope for patients diagnosed with neuroma.

For treatment-resistant cancers, TMU will introduce novel hyperthermia treatment that alters the tumor microenvironment and inhibits tumor growth. When applied together with proton therapy or medication, the technique holds potential as an adjuvant treatment for soft tissue sarcomas, bladder cancers, rectal cancers, and cervical cancers. With combined proton-hyperthermia therapy, particle therapy in Taiwan is expected to enter into a new phase of clinical application, offering more complete precision treatment options for patients.