Osaka carbon ion therapy is provided by the Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center, located in central Osaka with a view of Osaka Castle, which began treating patients in October 2018. For overseas patients, the carbon ion therapy cost published by the center is 5.28 million yen per course (4.8 million yen plus consumption tax, as of August 2024), the same regardless of the number of sessions. Overseas patients apply through one of nine medical coordinators listed by the center. This article covers eligible cancers and session numbers, application steps, required documents, cost structure and the four-day-a-week schedule. To find out whether your case may be treated in Osaka, send your records via Osaka carbon ion therapy eligibility and cost consultation.
What is the Osaka heavy ion cancer treatment center?
The Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center sits in the heart of Osaka with easy transport access. According to a 2018 announcement by Hitachi, which supplied the system, the center started treatment on October 16 of that year. It has three treatment rooms: two with vertical and horizontal beam ports, and one with horizontal and oblique ports, so tumors can be treated from several angles. It is also equipped with scanning technology, which paints the tumor layer by layer with a thin beam.
Carbon ions release most of their energy at a set depth, delivering a strong dose to the tumor and less to surrounding healthy tissue. The center explains that, compared with X-rays and protons, carbon ions differ in how tightly the dose is concentrated and in their biological effect. See What Is Carbon Ion Therapy? for the principle and Japanese Institutions for a comparison with other Japanese facilities. Patients feel no pain or heat during irradiation, and most are treated as outpatients.
Which cancers can be treated in Osaka?
The center follows the criteria of the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology (JASTRO) to classify indications as insurance-covered or Advanced Medical Care. The table below summarizes the center's published indications for cancers our readers ask about most. Overseas patients without Japanese insurance pay the self-pay fee regardless of category, but the category shows how established the treatment is in Japan.
| Cancer | Category in Japan | Sessions | Main conditions stated by the center |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prostate cancer | Insurance | 12 | Untreated, localized or locally advanced; hormone therapy may be combined |
| Pancreatic cancer | Insurance | 12 | Localized pancreatic cancer unsuitable for surgery |
| Hepatocellular carcinoma ≥4 cm | Insurance | 4 or 12 | Tumors under 4 cm: Advanced Medical Care, same sessions |
| Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma | Insurance | 4 or 12 | Diagnosed by imaging or pathology |
| Non-small cell lung cancer, stage I–IIA | Insurance | 4, 12 or 16 | Other stages: Advanced Medical Care, no metastasis outside the chest |
| Head and neck tumors (incl. skull base) | Insurance | 16 | Sarcomas and skull base tumors not curable by surgery |
| Bone and soft tissue tumors (sarcoma) | Insurance | 16 | Pathologically diagnosed, not surgically curable, measurable lesion |
| Rectal cancer recurrence after surgery | Insurance | 16 | Pelvic recurrence unsuitable for re-surgery, no metastasis outside the pelvis |
| Cervical cancer (adenocarcinoma, or squamous ≥6 cm) | Insurance | 20 | Locally advanced, not curable by surgery |
| Kidney cancer, stage I esophageal cancer | Advanced Medical Care | 12 | No distant metastasis; surgery not possible or declined |
| Lung or liver metastases, lymph node metastases (3 or fewer) | Advanced Medical Care | 4–16 | Primary controlled; no other metastases or treatment planned for them |
According to the center's FAQ, patients are generally 12 or older with no upper age limit, and must be able to lie still for 30 to 60 minutes. If the same area was irradiated before, doctors and the cancer board decide case by case. For details by cancer type, see Carbon Ion Therapy Eligibility, Prostate Cancer Carbon Ion Therapy and Pancreatic Cancer Carbon Ion Therapy.
How do international patients apply?
The center's page for overseas patients lists nine medical coordinators rather than a direct contact. One of them, Emergency Assistance Japan, states support in six languages including Korean, English and Chinese. Within Japan a referral letter from the attending doctor and an appointment are required, so overseas patients prepare records of the same level and hand them to the coordinator.
| Step | What happens | Who |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Inquiry | Share diagnosis, treatment history and preferred timing | Patient/family → coordinator |
| 2. Records review | Imaging, pathology and blood tests are reviewed for suitability | Center physicians |
| 3. Schedule and estimate | First visit date, expected sessions and cost estimate | Center and coordinator |
| 4. Travel preparation | Flights, lodging and, if needed, a Medical-Stay visa | Coordinator |
| 5. First visit and consent | Examination and tests, explanation of treatment and side effects, consent | Center physicians |
| 6. Immobilization and planning | Body immobilization device and planning CT | Center |
| 7. Treatment and return | Four sessions a week, then return home for regular follow-up | Patient and home doctor |
Hotels are nearby, but the center does not arrange lodging, so the coordinator or family books it. The center has only drink vending machines, with no shop, ATM or café. Fees can be paid by credit or debit card.
To choose a coordinator or check whether your current records are enough for review, contact us via consultation or call +82-2-517-5117.
Documents to prepare before consultation
The center asks for the following with each referral. Preparing English or Japanese translations speeds up the review.
- Referral letter (clinical summary) from the attending doctor
- CT, MRI or PET images on CD from the last 3 months with radiology reports, plus earlier images showing change over time
- Blood tests from the last 3 months, including tumor markers, kidney function and infection tests
- Biopsy pathology report
- Pulmonary function test results, required for lung cancer patients
Patients with a pacemaker need a cardiology consultation first, as the device may be affected. See Carbon Ion Therapy Documents Checklist for how to gather them.
How much does carbon ion therapy cost in Osaka?
The center's fee page divides costs by whether the patient has Japanese public health insurance. Most patients traveling from abroad fall under the last row.
| Category | Carbon ion irradiation fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese insurance, insured treatment | Estimated out-of-pocket varies by income (prostate cancer about 40,000 to 280,000 yen) | High-cost medical expense system reduces the burden |
| Japanese insurance, Advanced Medical Care | 3.14 million yen, regardless of sessions | Consultations, tests and drugs covered by insurance |
| Self-pay within Japan | 3.14 million yen plus consumption tax | All consultations, tests and drugs self-paid |
| Overseas patients | 4.8 million yen plus tax = 5.28 million yen (as of August 2024) | Other medical costs separate; flights, lodging and coordinator fees not included |
The 5.28 million yen covers one course of irradiation, whether 4 sessions for liver cancer or 20 for cervical cancer. First consultation, tests, immobilization devices and any hospital stay are added, plus living, interpreting and coordinator costs. For overseas fees at other Japanese centers, see Carbon Ion Therapy Cost Comparison. The estimate received at step 3 is the most accurate guide to the total.
Treatment schedule and length of stay
The Osaka center usually treats on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, four times a week. Twelve sessions therefore take about 3 weeks, 16 about 4 weeks and 20 about 5 weeks. Beam time per session is 5 to 20 minutes, and total time in the room including positioning is 15 minutes to 2 hours. Lung, liver and bone or soft tissue treatments synchronized with breathing take a little longer.
| Sessions | Main cancers | Irradiation period (4 days a week) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Hepatocellular carcinoma, some early lung cancers | About 1 week |
| 12 | Prostate, pancreatic, kidney, esophageal cancer | About 3 weeks |
| 16 | Head and neck, bone and soft tissue tumors, rectal recurrence | About 4 weeks |
| 20 | Cervical cancer | About 5 weeks |
For head and neck treatment, the center notes about 10 days from making the mask to starting treatment. Plan the total stay as the irradiation period plus 1–2 weeks for the first visit and preparation. Missing scheduled sessions can reduce the effect, so discuss any dates you must avoid before treatment starts. More examples are in Carbon Ion Therapy Treatment Period. After treatment, imaging and tumor markers are checked every 1 to 6 months, and tumors shrink gradually over time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I email the Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center directly?
The center's overseas patient page directs inquiries to nine medical coordinators. The coordinator collects your records, forwards them and obtains the schedule and estimate.
Does the Osaka carbon ion therapy cost change with the number of sessions?
No. The overseas fee of 5.28 million yen (4.8 million yen plus tax, as of August 2024) is for one course. Consultations, tests, hospital stay and living costs are separate.
Will I need to be hospitalized?
Most patients are treated as outpatients. Depending on condition, some stay at a nearby hospital and commute to the center.
Why choose Osaka among Japanese carbon ion therapy centers?
It is centrally located with easy access, and with three rooms and scanning beams it treats a wide range of cancers from prostate to cervical cancer. The best center still depends on cancer type and schedule, so comparing it with other centers is recommended.
Can I go sightseeing or visit hot springs during treatment?
Light outings are generally fine, but the center advises avoiding hot springs, saunas, the sea and pools during and shortly after treatment. Do not rub the treated skin or soak in hot water for long.
Related articles
Wondering if carbon ion therapy is possible for you, and what it costs?
We help you prepare consultations with Japanese institutions and provide medical interpreting.
Free consultationCall +82-2-517-5117Sources
- Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center — For patients from overseas (fee for foreign patients, as of August 2024)
- Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center — Treatment fees
- Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center — Treatable cancers and number of sessions
- Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center — Frequently asked questions
- Hitachi — Heavy ion beam therapy system starts treatment at Osaka Heavy Ion Therapy Center (Oct 16, 2018)
General information based on public sources; not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. Eligibility is decided by the treating physicians. Written by the FTH editorial team.