Head and Neck Cancer Association Hosts Seminar on BNCT and Emerging Trends in Precision Radiotherapy

Source: Economic Daily News (Taiwan)

  

To enhance awareness of emerging cancer treatment options, the Head and Neck Cancer Care Association of Taiwan held a health seminar on the 26th titled “Understanding Precision Radiotherapy – BNCT and Future Trends.”

 

The event featured Dr. Wang Ling-Wei from the Department of Heavy Ion and Radiation Oncology at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, who introduced the principles and clinical development of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) to patients and their families. The session aimed to provide insights into the latest advancements in cancer treatment and potential future therapeutic options.

 

The initiative was led by Dr. Yang Cheng-Chieh, Chairman of the association and a physician at Taipei Veterans General Hospital. Dr. Yang has long been dedicated to supporting head and neck cancer patients, with a particular focus on the medical needs of working-age and blue-collar populations. He continues to advocate for improved post-treatment rehabilitation, social reintegration, and broader reimbursement coverage for therapies such as immunotherapy.

 

Additional seminars in this series are planned in central and southern Taiwan, aiming to provide broader access to up-to-date medical information for patients and caregivers.

 

Beyond the medical lecture, the event also featured an interactive activity titled “Rebuilding Nutrition Together.” Patients participated in a gamified “Healthy Plate” exercise, visiting six themed stations to assemble a balanced diet.

 

The six food categories included:

 

• Whole grains
• Protein sources (soy, fish, eggs, meat)
• Dairy
• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Fats, nuts, and seeds

 This activity encouraged patients to maintain proper nutrition during treatment and regain confidence in daily life.

 Head and neck cancer is currently one of the most promising indications for BNCT. This therapy works by selectively delivering boron-containing compounds into tumor cells, followed by neutron irradiation. The resulting nuclear reaction generates high-energy particles with a very short path length, enabling precise destruction of cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

 

Due to its highly selective and targeted nature, BNCT has the potential to reduce side effects associated with conventional surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.

 

Dr. Wang is also collaborating with domestic BNCT companies on clinical research and trials for related indications. If BNCT becomes a standard treatment option in the future, it could represent a significant breakthrough for patients with head and neck cancer.

 

As emphasized by both the medical and industry communities, BNCT aims not only to extend survival, but also to improve quality of life.

The seminar received enthusiastic responses from participants. Many patients expressed strong interest in BNCT’s mechanism, its potential inclusion in standard treatment protocols, and the possibility of national health insurance reimbursement.

 

Given that many head and neck cancer patients in Taiwan come from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, there is a shared expectation that continued advancements in medical technology will be accompanied by greater government support—particularly for emerging therapies like BNCT.