Other Medical Information

Heavy-ion (carbon-ion) therapy

Radiotherapy using accelerated heavy particles such as carbon ions. Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center describes itself as Japan’s sixth heavy-ion facility, treating patients since October 2018. It states that it provides only heavy-ion therapy and no other care such as initial diagnosis.

Institution’s description General conditions stated by the center

• The cancer is localised and the treatment range is limited
• The target site has not received radiotherapy before
• The patient can lie still for about 30 minutes (guideline)
• Performance status 0–2 at the start of treatment
• No active or refractory infection in the irradiation area
• The patient has been informed of the cancer and chooses the treatment of their own will

Institution’s description Treatment policy and targets

• Based on the unified protocol of the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology (JASTRO), with each case reviewed by a working group of specialists from Osaka universities and hospitals.
• Examples listed by the center: skull base tumours, some head and neck tumours, lung, oesophageal, liver, kidney, pancreatic, cervical and prostate cancer, pelvic recurrence after colorectal surgery, bone and soft-tissue tumours, lymph node metastasis
• For head and neck, eligibility is limited to non-squamous carcinoma and lacrimal gland carcinoma, mucosal malignant melanoma, and inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the ear and paranasal sinuses.

Institution’s description Precautions stated by the center

• It is not applicable to all cancers, and may be judged not applicable after the first examination.
• As with other treatments, recurrence is possible.
• Depending on the site, dermatitis, mucositis and other effects may occur, including effects appearing after 3 months.
• Follow-up continues for five years, with visits every three months.

Institution’s description For overseas patients

• The center states that overseas patients are informed of eligibility and schedule through medical tourism agents.
• Required documents: referral letter, CT/MRI/PET-CT images on CD-R showing changes over time, blood tests for tumour markers and kidney function, pathology findings, respiratory function tests, etc.

Authoritative source Japanese system

• From June 2024 some heavy-ion treatments (unresectable early lung cancer, large locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma, gynaecological malignant melanoma) moved from Advanced Medical Care to public insurance (per Japanese life insurers’ notices). Other conditions must be confirmed with the institution.

Institution’s description Number of sessions by condition

• Summarised from the “guide to days and period required for treatment” table published by Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center. The actual number is set by the medical team.
• Treatment is given 4 days a week (in principle Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri). Example: pancreatic cancer, 4 days × 3 weeks = 12 sessions.
• * Per site.

IVR (image-guided treatment)

Yasumoto IVR Clinic (Nishinomiya, Hyogo) describes IVR as treatment that reaches lesions with catheters or needles while viewing the inside of the body in real time with X-ray fluoroscopy, angiography, ultrasound or CT. The clinic states that it is scheduled to open in November 2026 (as of the check date).

Institution’s description Classification described by the clinic

• Vascular IVR: a catheter is inserted mainly via the groin or arm to block vessels feeding a tumour (embolisation), infuse high-concentration anticancer drugs, or place stents in narrowed vessels.
• Non-vascular IVR: based on inserting a needle directly into the lesion under CT fluoroscopy or ultrasound, including RFA, drainage and biopsy.

Institution’s description Process described by the clinic

• Provide referral letter and imaging before the first visit
• A specialist reviews eligibility, with additional CT/MRI on the day if needed
• Several clinicians review the treatment method
• Many procedures allow same-day discharge; admission to a partner hospital if needed
• Regular follow-up with examinations and imaging

Institution’s description Cost

• There is insurance-covered care and self-pay care, depending on the condition, treatment and site.

Not confirmed Not confirmed

• Fee page (not yet published)
• Detailed booking-to-treatment guide (not yet published)

RFA (radiofrequency ablation)

In RFA a needle electrode is placed in the tumour and radiofrequency current generates heat to coagulate tissue. Yasumoto IVR Clinic classifies RFA as a non-vascular IVR.

Institution’s description Targets listed by the clinic

• The clinic lists RFA for lung and liver cancer (including multiple or large lesions), kidney cancer, breast cancer, lymph node metastasis and recurrent cancer.

Limited evidence / research stage Points to note

• “Including lesions generally considered difficult” is the clinic’s own description; whether it applies to an individual is decided by the medical team.

Not confirmed Not confirmed

• The clinic’s RFA page had not been published as of the check date.

Materials from QST (National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology) were not included in this check. Osaka HIMAK’s fee page for overseas patients and Yasumoto IVR Clinic’s RFA page (not yet published) were not reviewed.

Source

• 大阪重粒子線センター (Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center)
  Checked on: 2026-10-12
• Osaka HIMAK — To medical personnel
  Checked on: 2026-10-12
• 大阪重粒子線センター「重粒子線で治療できるがん」
  Checked on: 2026-10-12
• 保本IVRクリニック (IVR治療)
  Checked on: 2026-10-12
• 保本IVRクリニック
  Checked on: 2026-10-12

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FTH is not a medical institution; it is a company that provides guidance on overseas medical information, translation, and on-site interpretation support. The content of this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a diagnosis or treatment recommendation for any individual, nor a guarantee of treatment results. Please discuss the suitability, risks and decision to undergo any treatment with your attending medical team.