Paediatric Haematology & Oncology

In 2023, the HKSH Proton Therapy Centre in Shau Kei Wan began treating cancer patients, including paediatric patients, with a compact, cutting-edge proton therapy system — the first such facility in Hong Kong. 

Proton therapy, the most advanced form of radiotherapy, offers superior precision compared to conventional photon-based radiotherapy. Unlike traditional methods that risk damaging healthy tissue, proton therapy delivers targeted energy that stops precisely at the tumour, a phenomenon known as the "Bragg Peak." This precision reduces complications and side effects, making proton therapy particularly beneficial for children, who are more susceptible to the potentially harmful effects of radiation. 

Other benefits of proton therapy for paediatric patients include minimal risk of cognitive impairment, growth and endocrine issues, and secondary malignancies, without compromising treatment effectiveness. Studies showed that while survival rates for conditions like medulloblastoma were similar between proton and photon therapies, proton therapy resulted in fewer long-term side effects. 

HKSH is also a global leader in integrating Magnetic Resonance (MR) guidance technology with proton radiotherapy, further enhancing its treatment accuracy. 

Since the opening of the Centre in 2023, over 30 children with a variety of tumours (from Hong Kong Children's Hospital or Mainland China) have undergone proton therapy.