The most expensive medical machine in the world, known as the god of cancer

After years of using high-cost machines from abroad, China has started using domestically produced goods .

Expensive machine

Proton radiotherapy is one of the most advanced radiation cancer treatments in the world. It can attack cancer cells directly without damaging surrounding healthy tissues, with a very high accuracy rate.

Currently, each proton beam projector costs from 80 million to 100 million USD.

It is known that each proton beam projector costs from 80 million to 100 million USD. In Singapore, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital (MNH) became the first healthcare facility in the country to receive a license to operate this expensive system. Two other institutions, the National Cancer Center Singapore (NCCS) and the Singapore Institute of Advanced Medicine (SAM), are awaiting approval to begin similar treatments.

Because it is a complex therapy and requires the most modern machinery, the treatment with this method is not cheap. It is known that the average price for European equipment costs a total of 60,000-70,000 USD for the entire treatment process for each patient in Singapore.

In China , the Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center imported irradiation machines from Germany and charged a price of about 300,000 yuan (equivalent to 40,000 USD) for each treatment.

However, in recent times, the first domestically produced Proton machine in China has become a major breakthrough in the country's medical technology. Although China has not announced the price of the self-produced Proton machine, the treatment cost for patients is only 40,000 yuan (5,556 USD) for the first treatment and 15,000 yuan (2,000 USD) for the first treatment. each subsequent treatment.

The first domestic Proton machine produced by China helps reduce cancer treatment costs in the country.

Thanks to that, the maximum cost for each treatment is only 170,000 yuan (23,000 USD ), nearly half that of a similar treatment but using machines imported from abroad and one third of the cost. treatment fees in other countries.

According to Shanghai Daily, by the end of March, China's first domestically produced Proton radiotherapy system had treated 100 patients, including 3 children and mild cases at the northern branch. of Thuy Kim Hospital.

The system began trial operations last July and was officially approved for operation in November. Hospital officials said the 100th patient marked an important milestone in the device's manufacturing capabilities. high-end medical equipment in the country and allows Chinese patients to receive advanced radiation treatment at a lower cost.

Dr. Chen Jiayi, director of the radiation department of Ruijin Hospital, said: 'Based on the domestic Proton machine, we have developed our own clinical guidelines and perfected medical practices, and formed standards. and its own technical guidance, especially targeting common cancers in the Chinese population'.

Of the 100 patients, there were 29 cases of cancer in the head or neck, 35 cases of breast cancer, 22 cases of cancer in the chest area, 9 cases of cancer in the abdomen or pelvic cavity. and 5 cases of cancer of the spine or limbs.

Dr Chen said: 'Our clinical practice covers all aspects of cancer treatment and all patients report a smooth treatment process, with no side effects. Some patients have shown positive results."

Medical costs for Proton treatment are not covered by government health insurance but are covered by commercial insurance and huhuibao , a type of private budget supplementary health insurance for Shanghai residents Sea.

Economic barriers

Proton therapy devices are some of the largest and most complex medical devices in the world today. The biggest barrier is the economic cost of research, development and production. Previously, China's Proton therapy device market could only come from foreign imports because there were no domestic products.

The high purchase price and maintenance costs of imported equipment lead to high costs for a course of treatment. But in 2022, the first domestic Proton therapy device passed product inspection by China's State Food and Drug Administration and was approved for use.

According to Straitstimes, although Proton therapy is no better than conventional radiotherapy in terms of killing cancer cells or shrinking tumors, it causes significantly less damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs.

Compare the beam path in conventional radiotherapy and the Proton method.

The reason is because in proton therapy, the beam will stop at the location of the tumor . With conventional radiotherapy, the beam that destroys cancer cells will not stop but will continue to travel through the body (like a flying bullet), causing damage to other organs.

MNH radiation oncologist Lee Kuo Ann explains : 'The protons stop within the tumor and do not expose normal tissue on the other side of the tumor to radiation.'

Therefore, this therapy will reduce side effects and will reduce growth and development problems in children and young adults. With this superior effect, the price of Proton radiotherapy is many times higher than conventional radiotherapy .