Asan Medical Center begins construction of heavy ion therapy center

Facility scheduled to open in 2031 with 39,502 m² total floor area and 12 stories.

Asan Medical Center has started construction of a heavy ion therapy center aimed at expanding advanced cancer treatment options, particularly for patients with treatment-resistant cancers.

The hospital, which treats about one in eight cancer patients in Korea and serves roughly 1.06 million cancer patients annually, said the project is part of its push toward precision medicine.

The center is scheduled to open in 2031 and will be the largest of its kind in Korea. It will be a 12-story building with three basement levels, nine floors above ground, and a total floor area of 39,502 square meters.

The facility will use heavy ion therapy systems supplied by Toshiba, including two rotating gantry systems and one fixed beam system. Construction is being carried out by HDC Hyundai Development Company, with supervision from HanmiGlobal.

Heavy ion therapy uses accelerated carbon ions to target tumors more precisely than conventional radiation, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. It is expected to be used for difficult cancers such as pancreatic, lung, sarcoma, kidney, and recurrent cancers.

The center will also feature multi-ion beam technology and CT-based image guidance to improve treatment precision and allow real-time adjustments based on tumor changes.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by senior officials from Asan Medical Center, government representatives, and executives from Toshiba, Nikken Sekkei, and HDC Hyundai Development Company.