Carbon-ion radiotherapy
Heavy-ion radiation for selected head-and-neck and skull-base tumours and recurrences. Not available in Canada.
Read more →← Conditions
Condition guide
Head and neck cancer treatment options in China
This page covers cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, nose and sinuses, skull-base tumours, and cancers that have come back. It explains standard care at home and the options in China that may be relevant.
About head and neck cancer
These cancers sit close to structures we use to speak, swallow, breathe and see. Treatment aims to control the cancer while protecting these functions as much as possible.
Skull-base tumours, such as chordoma and chondrosarcoma, are rarer. They lie next to the brain, nerves and major vessels, which makes surgery and radiation more difficult.
What standard care at home usually looks like
Early cancers are treated with surgery or radiation. More advanced cancers often use surgery followed by radiation, or chemoradiation. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are used for some patients, especially when cancer is recurrent or has spread.
Rehabilitation matters too, including speech therapy, dietary advice and dental care. For recurrent cancers, a second course of radiation is often limited by the dose already given.
Options in China that may be relevant
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT)
A targeted radiation technique for selected recurrent head-and-neck cancers. Evidence is still developing.
Read more →Iodine-125 seed implantation
Radioactive seeds placed in or next to a tumour under imaging guidance.
Read more →Cancer hyperthermia
Heating used alongside radiotherapy. Not a stand-alone treatment.
Read more →New cancer antibodies and ADCs
Medicines approved in China first. We are confirming current hospital access.
Read more →Second opinions
Expert review of imaging and pathology.
Read more →Who might consider looking abroad
People with skull-base tumours or recurrent cancers in areas already irradiated may ask whether carbon-ion therapy or BNCT is an option. Both are available in only a few places in the world, and the evidence is stronger for some tumour types than others.
Radiation oncologists look at the tumour's position, your earlier radiation dose and your overall health. Side effects can include swelling, dry mouth, trouble swallowing, nerve damage and, rarely, damage to normal tissue near the tumour.
Who should not travel, or should wait
- People who have not yet received standard surgery or radiation that could control the cancer
- People with a blocked airway, bleeding, or trouble swallowing that is not managed
- People whose tumours are too widespread for local treatment
- People who cannot lie still for treatment sessions
- Anyone planning to give up proven treatment for an experimental one
Records to gather
- Pathology report, including HPV status where relevant
- MRI, CT and PET scans, with images on disc
- Full radiation record: dates, dose, fields and technique
- Surgery notes and chemotherapy history
- Dental and swallowing assessments
- Current medicines and allergies
Prepare and send your records
Send records securely
Upload reports and images for specialist review.
Read more →Medical records guide
Requesting radiation records and imaging.
Read more →Carbon-ion vs proton therapy
How the two compare.
Read more →Frequently asked questions
Is carbon-ion therapy only for rare tumours?
It is used mainly for tumours that resist standard radiation or lie close to critical structures, such as chordoma and some salivary gland cancers. It is not needed for most head and neck cancers.
What if my cancer has already had radiation?
Re-irradiation is possible in some cases, but it depends on dose and location. The radiation records are essential.
Is BNCT proven?
BNCT is still being studied. Results in selected recurrent cancers are encouraging but come from small studies.
How long would treatment take?
Carbon-ion courses often run for several weeks. The team gives a plan after reviewing your case.
Do not delay standard treatment. Head and neck cancers can spread locally and quickly. Licensed doctors decide on treatment, and we coordinate. We cannot guarantee access or results.
Sources: National Cancer Institute, Head and neck cancers · Canadian Cancer Society, Treatments for oral cancer
Last reviewed: 12 November 2026. This page is general information, not medical advice.
Sino Health Link is an independent coordination service, not a hospital. We do not diagnose, prescribe or treat. Licensed doctors make all medical recommendations and decisions with you.