

File Photo
SHANGHAI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- A Shanghai proton therapy center is expected to take the lead in providing treatment for Chinese children with cancer in about two years.
The center will be jointly established by the Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai Fosun Healthcare (Group) Co., Ltd. and the U.S.-based Mevion Medical Systems, Inc., under an agreement signed this week.
About 22,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in China. Surgery and chemotherapy are the main treatments.
Proton therapy is a new type of radiation therapy that uses 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 on brain and spine growth in children compared with traditional treatments, said Dong Kuiran, a senior oncologist at the children's hospital.
"There are many proton therapy centers under construction in China, but most will provide treatment for adults only. A lack of doctors is another obstacle," Dong said.
Many families travel abroad for proton therapy, at a cost of millions of yuan in many cases.
The partners in the Shanghai center also plan to establish a talent training base and promote Sino-U.S. research and development cooperation.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses