Best Proton-beam therapy Doctors Worldwide — TOP 23

Dr. Stephanie Lilianne E. Bolle is a radiation oncologist and Head of Radiation Oncology at the Quirónsalud Proton Therapy Center in Madrid. She has led the department since July 2024. The center is Spain’s first proton therapy facility.

MD, University of Liège (1998). Board certified in radiation oncology (2003). She is an active member of the European Society of Paediatric Oncology and works with its Brain Tumor Group and Radiation Oncology Working Group.

She has published more than 120 scientific articles on pediatric brain tumors, proton therapy, pediatric radiation doses, and complex radiotherapy. She takes part in international projects and clinical trials, including BIOMEDE 2 and HARMONIC. Her expertise includes proton therapy, pediatric oncology, CNS and skull base tumors in adults and children, sarcomas, and complex radiotherapy planning.

Prof. Merimsky heads the Soft Tissue and Bone Oncology Unit at Ichilov Hospital, specializing in proton-beam therapy for complex tumor cases.

• 41 years of experience of experience in oncology and radiation therapy
• Fellowship-trained in sarcoma treatment at Institut Gustave Roussy, Paris
• ESMO faculty member for sarcoma and thoracic oncology
• Published extensively on bone and soft tissue tumors

Chief physician and professor. Grade 1 Expert at the Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University (ranked No. 2 in China). Completed a postdoctoral fellowship in interventional radiology at the Chinese PLA General Hospital. Leads multidisciplinary team (MDT) care for complex tumors. Expert in minimally invasive interventional oncology for liver, lung, and pancreatic cancers.

Accreditations: Council Member, WATA. Member of CACA and CMDA committees on intervention, ablation, radioactive seeds, and pain. In 2023, inaugural director member, Palliative Care Committee, Sichuan MDA. Editorial board member of the Chinese Journal of Interventional Imaging and Therapy. Editorial board member of the Chinese Journal of Pain Medicine.

Leads 2 provincial S&T projects and 2 NSFC projects. Has 40+ papers, with 30+ as first or corresponding author. Highest impact factor: 10.73. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cohort: TACE + lenvatinib vs TACE + sorafenib. OS 18.97 vs 10.77 months. PFS 10.6 vs 5.4 months. ORR 66.8% vs 33.3%.

Dr. He Weibing is a pioneer of argon-helium cryoablation in China with more than 20 years of frontline practice. He was a founding member of Fuda Cancer Hospital (Guangzhou). He co-founded its Minimally Invasive Tumor Treatment Center and served as Executive Deputy Director. He also helped found the Ablation Group of the China Anti-Cancer Association. He has been the primary operator in more than 10,000 procedures.

He specializes in tumor cryoablation and is proficient in 125I seed brachytherapy, with a focus on liver and lung cancers. He proposed ten argon-helium techniques. Key co-authored data include: lung cryotherapy n=508; NSCLC n=120 (CR 25.5%, PR 41.8%, 6/12/24-month survival 64%/55%/36%); pancreatic cancer n=38 (median survival 12 months). He served on editorial boards in 2008 and 2010. He has been a national trainer for Varian and Boston Scientific since 2001.

Professor Luo Xiaoping is a nationally recognized interventional radiologist and a leading authority in Western China. He began pioneering vascular interventions in the early 1990s. He helped found the Interventional Group at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University.

He has completed over 100,000 interventional procedures, including about 4,000 complex cases. His key skills include TACE for hepatocellular carcinoma, Budd–Chiari interventions, TIPS, and single-stage bilateral stenting for hilar biliary obstruction, with success rates near 100%. He has been a master’s supervisor since 2007. He has trained many physicians, guided complex cases at more than 40 major hospitals across Western China, and helped build interventional programs. He has published 32 papers as first or corresponding author (22 CSCD core, 4 Chinese core, 6 CSCD extended).

Professor Xiao Yueyong is Chief Physician in the Department of Radiological Diagnosis at the Chinese PLA General Hospital. He is a leading expert in minimally invasive interventional oncology. He serves as the inaugural President of WATA (2025–). He is President of the International (2020–) and Asian (2012–) Societies of Cryotherapy. He is also Deputy Head of the NHC Expert Group on tumour ablation regulations (2009–).

He has performed over 100,000 CT/MRI‑guided minimally invasive procedures. His work covers chemical ablation, RFA, MWA, cryoablation, and NanoKnife (IRE). He introduced and advanced NanoKnife ablation in China. He led the first national standards for tumour cryoablation and NanoKnife.

Honors include the National Special Contribution Award (Lifetime Honorary). He received First Prize from the Chinese Medicine Education Association (2021). He received two Second Prizes for Military Medical Achievements (2016, 2018) and two Second Prizes from the China Anti‑Cancer Association (2019, 2022). He was named Asian Ablation Master. His research record includes 13 Chinese patents. He is the principal investigator for four NSFC projects and one MOST subject. He has published over 200 papers, with over 110 as first or corresponding author and over 40 in SCI journals. He has led over 10 ablation guidelines or consensus statements.

Dr. Solak specializes in proton-beam therapy for various cancers, trained at Hacettepe University Cancer Institute and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

• Expertise in breast, testicular, ovarian, lung, and head-neck cancers
• Fellowship-trained at one of the world's leading cancer centers
• Works at Hisar Hospital Intercontinental, a specialized facility

Prof. Bokstein leads the Neurooncology Clinic at Ichilov – specializing in advanced radiotherapy approaches like proton-beam therapy.

• Head of Neurooncology at Israel's leading medical center
• Specializes in precision radiation treatments for brain tumors
• Focuses on minimizing damage to healthy brain tissue

Specializes in proton-beam therapy for brain and nerve tumors – trained at Duke University and leads Tel Aviv Medical Center's radiation service.

• Over 22 years of experience of experience in oncology and radiation therapy
• Head of Radiation Service for Nervous System Tumors at Tel Aviv Medical Center
• Trained in advanced radiosurgery techniques at Duke University
• Member of International Association of Neuro-Oncologists and Israel Head and Neck Tumor Society

Dr. Alemdar specializes in medical oncology with advanced training at Akdeniz University, bringing deep expertise to proton-beam therapy at Medical Park Antalya.

• Board-certified in medical oncology since 2018
• Over 20 years of experience of experience across top Turkish hospitals
• Extensive training from Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine
• Works at a leading JCI-accredited hospital complex

Dr. Auala Hubert specializes in proton-beam therapy at Hadassah Medical Center, with 36 years of experience of experience in oncology and radiotherapy.

• Head of Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at Hadassah
• Board-certified in oncology and radiotherapy
• Member of Israel Society of Clinical Oncology
• Fluent in English and Hebrew for patient communication

Zhang Jinshan, male, China’s First M.D. in the Radiation Medicine, CCI (Chinese College of Interventionalists) Master Interventionalist, Director of the Department of Former Radiological Diagnosis at Chinese PLA General Hospital(No.3 in China) Ph.D. of Medicine, Nagasaki University, Japan.

1980–1985: Completed doctoral studies at Nagasaki University, Japan

1968–present: Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital

1988: Third Prize of the Military Science and Technology Progress Award

1989–present: Member of Radiological Society of North America(RSNA)

1990–2009: Standing Committee Member of the Radiology and Therapeutic Radiology Committee of the PLA

1991: Second Prize of the Military Science and Technology Progress Award

1992–2008: Group Leader of the Group of Intervention of Chinese Journal of Radiology

1992–2015: Standing Editorial Board Member and Editorial Board Member of Journal of Interventional Radiology

1993: Granted the Lifetime Special Government Allowance of the State Council

1993–2012: Deputy Chief Editor of Chinese Journal of Medical Image Technology

1994: Third Prize of the Military Science and Technology Progress Award

1997: Second Prize of the Military Science and Technology Progress Award

1997–2009: Standing Member of Chinese Society of Radiology

1999: Third Prize of the Military Science and Technology Progress Award

1999–2010: Deputy Director Member of Chinese Society of Interventional Oncology

2002: Second Prize of the Military Science and Technology Progress Award

2005: Third Prize of the Military Science and Technology Progress Award

Member of Radiological Society of North America(RSNA)

Standing Member of Chinese Society of Radiology

Group Leader of the Group of Intervention of Chinese Journal of Radiology

Deputy Director Member of Chinese Society of Interventional Oncology

Director Member of Beijing Medical Association Society of Interventional Radiology

Deputy Chief Editor of Chinese Journal of Medical Image Technology

Standing Member of Professional Committee of Radiological Medicine of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army

Standing Editorial Board Member and Editorial Board Member of Journal of Interventional Radiology

Awarded the Special Government Allowance of the State Council

Awarded three Second Prizes and four Third Prizes for Military Science and Technology Progress.

Awarded the honorary title of “Chinese College of Interventionalists(CCI) Master Interventionalist”

Led multiple national and provincial/ministerial scientific research projects, including two projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and two projects funded by the Department of Science and Technology of Sichuan Province.

In the pioneering development of interventional medicine in China, Zhang Jinshan has been an indispensable founder and leading figure. As China’s first overseas-trained doctoral graduate in radiological medicine, he returned to China in the 1980s after completing his studies abroad and introduced cutting-edge international interventional technologies to the country. Over more than four decades of dedicated practice and research, he has helped propel Chinese interventional medicine from its infancy to a position at the forefront of the global field through his exceptional clinical expertise and profound academic accomplishments.

Professor Zhang Jinshan has long been dedicated to the field of medical imaging and has developed distinctive expertise in selective and superselective interventional diagnosis and treatment for solid tumors such as liver cancer, demonstrating exceptional technical proficiency and profound academic accomplishment. Beginning in the 1990s, he led his team in pioneering the clinical application and research of TIPSS and B-ORTO in China, filling major gaps in the domestic field and opening new paths for the interventional management of gastrointestinal bleeding caused by portal hypertension secondary to liver cirrhosis. In addition, he has made groundbreaking contributions to the interventional diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vascular diseases, as well as to preoperative embolization for spinal tumors.

In the field of liver cancer treatment, Professor Zhang Jinshan not only led the development of standardized treatment protocols for liver cancer but also pioneered Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization with temporary Hepatic Vein Thrombosis (TACE-THVO) for primary liver cancer, bringing the efficacy of interventional therapy to a new level. In recognition of his outstanding clinical and scientific contributions, he was awarded the honorary title of “Chinese Master of Interventional Radiology” at the 2019 annual conference of the Chinese College of Interventionalists.

Professor Zhang Jinshan is not only a master clinician but also a driving force in the development of the discipline and a dedicated mentor in talent cultivation. He led his team in establishing one of China’s premier interventional therapy centers. As a doctoral supervisor, he has trained a large number of outstanding specialists and future leaders in interventional medicine, with many of his students and protégés now serving across the country. Academically, he has led multiple key national and military research projects, published more than 300 academic papers, and served as chief editor of three monographs, making remarkable contributions to the establishment of China’s academic framework for interventional medicine and the nationwide dissemination of its technologies.

From the laboratory to the operating room, and from academic podiums to grassroots hospitals, Professor Zhang Jinshan has consistently upheld the principles of “pioneering, innovation, pragmatism, and compassion". He has devoted his life to fulfilling the mission of a physician—relieving patients’ suffering through minimally invasive techniques and advancing the discipline through academic excellence—thereby establishing himself as a truly towering figure and one of the foremost authorities in the field of interventional medicine in China.

Professor Zhang Jinshan’s Academic Achievements

Professor Zhang Jinshan has achieved prolific academic accomplishments, having published over 300 academic papers covering areas such as interventional therapy for liver cancer, minimally invasive treatment of portal hypertension, interventional treatment of vascular diseases, and tumor ablation.

Selected Publications by Professor Zhang Jinshan

1. Zhang Jinshan, Wang Maoqiang. Experiments and Clinical Studies of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPSS). Chinese Journal of Radiology, 1993，27（6）：361-365.

Professor Zhang Jinshan is the first author. This is one of the early research papers in China that systematically elaborates on the TIPSS technique. Through animal experiments and clinical case analysis, it confirmed that TIPSS is a safe and effective minimally invasive method for treating portal hypertension and its complications, laying an important foundation for the promotion and application of this technique in China.

2.Zhang Jinshan, Li Huai. Clinical study on transcatheter arterial embolization with temporary hepatic vein occlusion for the treatment of primary liver cancer.Chinese Journal of Radiology, 1996，30（8）：521-524.

Professor Zhang Jinshan is the first author. He innovatively proposed the technique of "transcatheter arterial embolization with temporary hepatic vein occlusion." Clinical results demonstrated that this method can significantly increase the drug concentration within liver cancer lesions, reduce damage to normal liver tissue, and effectively improve the therapeutic outcomes for intermediate and advanced liver cancer, providing a novel strategy for the interventional treatment of liver cancer.

3. Zhang Jinshan, Wang Maoqiang, Li Huai. Interventional treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome. Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology, 1998，14（3）：189-191.

Professor Zhang Jinshan is the first author. This paper systematically summarizes the early experience in interventional treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome in China, elaborating in detail on the key operational points and therapeutic efficacy of techniques such as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement. It confirms that interventional therapy is the preferred minimally invasive method for Budd-Chiari syndrome, promoting the standardized development of treatment for this disease.

4.Zhang Jinshan, Li Huai, Wang Maoqiang. Clinical value of superselective hepatic arterial chemoembolization in the treatment of hypovascular liver cancer. Chinese Journal of Radiology, 2000，34（5）：335-337.

Professor Zhang Jinshan is the first author. Addressing the challenges in interventional treatment of hypovascular liver cancer, this paper explores the clinical efficacy of superselective hepatic arterial chemoembolization. The results indicate that this technique can precisely target the lesions and improve the treatment response rate, providing an important clinical basis for the interventional treatment of hypovascular liver cancer.

5. Zhang Jinshan, Li Huai, Wang Maoqiang. Interventional treatment of peripheral vascular stenosis and occlusion.Chinese Journal of Radiology, 2002，36（7）：612-614.

Professor Zhang Jinshan is the first author. This paper summarizes the interventional treatment experience of over 400 patients with peripheral vascular stenosis and occlusion, analyzing the indications and efficacy of techniques such as balloon angioplasty and stent placement. It confirms that interventional therapy is a safe and effective approach for peripheral vascular diseases, providing practical support for its clinical promotion.

6.Zhang Jinshan, Li Huai, Wang Maoqiang. Clinical application of CT-guided percutaneous puncture ablation in the treatment of abdominal tumors. Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology, 2004，20（9）：1395-1397.

Professor Zhang Jinshan is the first author. This paper explores the application value of CT-guided percutaneous puncture techniques such as radiofrequency ablation and chemical ablation in the treatment of abdominal tumors. The clinical results show that this method is minimally invasive with reliable efficacy, offering a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with inoperable abdominal tumors.

7.Zhang Jinshan, Wang Maoqiang, Li Huai. Advances in the application of interventional therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Chinese Journal of Radiology, 2006，40（8）：876-878.

Professor Zhang Jinshan is the corresponding author. This paper systematically reviews the cutting-edge advances in interventional therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia, including the principles, procedures, and efficacy of techniques such as prostatic artery embolization and stent placement, providing new insights for the minimally invasive treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

8.Zhang Jinshan, Li Huai, Wang Maoqiang. Discussion on the standardization of interventional therapy for liver cancer. Chinese Journal of Practical Surgery, 2008，28（10）：856-858.

Professor Zhang Jinshan is the corresponding author. Drawing on years of clinical experience and research findings, he led the discussion on standardized protocols for interventional therapy of liver cancer, covering key aspects such as preoperative assessment, treatment modality selection, and postoperative management, providing important references for the formulation of clinical guidelines for interventional therapy of liver cancer in China.

Professor Zhang Jinshan co-authored monographs

1. Interventional Radiology (People's Military Medical Press, 1995): The first monograph in China to systematically discuss the theories and techniques of interventional radiology. It comprehensively elaborates on the interventional diagnosis and treatment system for tumors, vascular diseases, and non-vascular diseases, becoming a classic essential textbook for interventional physicians in China.

2.Interventional Therapy for Liver Cancer (People's Health Press, 2001): Focusing on minimally invasive interventions for liver cancer, this book systematically summarizes techniques such as TACE, ablation, and vascular intervention, refines operational standards and the prevention and management of complications, and promotes the standardization of interventional therapy for liver cancer.

3.Interventional Treatment of Portal Hypertension (Science Press, 2005): This book systematically elaborates on minimally invasive techniques for portal hypertension, such as TIPSS and B-ORTO, covering experimental research, clinical procedures, long-term follow-up, and efficacy evaluation, filling the gap in monographs on interventional treatment of portal hypertension in China.

Professor Zhang Jinshan’s Research project

1.The National "Eighth Five-Year Plan" Scientific and Technological Key Project—Clinical and Basic Research on Comprehensive Interventional Therapy for Liver Cancer (Project Leader): This project systematically explored multimodal interventional strategies for liver cancer, established the core regimen of superselective TACE combined with local ablation, and significantly improved the therapeutic outcomes for intermediate and advanced liver cancer.

2.The Military "Ninth Five-Year Plan" Key Medical Scientific Research Project—Standardized Research on TIPSS for the Treatment of Portal Hypertension (Project Leader): This project formulated China's first operational standards and postoperative management guidelines for TIPSS, reduced the incidence of complications, and promoted the popularization of this technique throughout the military and across the country.

3.National Natural Science Foundation of China Project — Research on the Mechanism of Targeted Therapy for Liver Cancer Using Hepatic Vein Occlusion Combined with Chemoembolization (Project Leader): This project revealed the synergistic enhancement mechanisms of the innovative technique at the levels of hemodynamics, drug metabolism, and the tumor microenvironment, providing theoretical support for precision interventional therapy of liver cancer.

4.Military Clinical High-Tech Major Project-Establishment and Clinical Application of the Interventional Treatment Technology System for Complex Vascular Diseases (Project Leader): This project overcame interventional challenges in complex lesions such as Budd-Chiari syndrome, peripheral vascular occlusion, and vascular malformations, forming a complete technical system that has been promoted and applied widely.

Dr. Nir Kleinmann directs the Endourology and Kidney Stones Unit at Sheba Medical Center. He is a pioneer in kidney-sparing laser surgery for complex tumors. Forbes and ResultMed named him among Israel’s Best Doctors for 2025 and 2026. Dr. Kleinmann uses a unique dual-laser system to preserve organ function during cancer treatment.

• Completed urological fellowships at Thomas Jefferson University and McMaster University.
• Expert in minimally invasive treatments for UTUC, kidney stones, and prostate cancer.
• Served as a researcher in the OLYMPUS trial for non-surgical chemoablation.
• Fellow of the American Endourology Society with over 60 scientific publications.

Dr. Yaacov Lawrence is the Chair of Radiation Oncology at Sheba Medical Center. He specializes in precision radiation therapy and neuro-oncology. Dr. Lawrence pioneered celiac plexus radiosurgery for pancreatic cancer pain management. He holds the FASTRO designation, one of the highest honors in his specialty.

• Leads the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at Sheba Medical Center.
• Performs stereotactic radiosurgery for brain tumors and nervous system cancers.
• Authored over 280 scientific publications on personalized radiation protocols.
• Completed radiation oncology fellowship training at Thomas Jefferson University.

Professor Gul Alco specializes in proton-beam therapy at Istanbul Medipol University, bringing over 31 years of experience of radiation oncology expertise.

• Professor in Radiation Oncology at Medipol University
• Trained at Istanbul School of Medicine and Kadir Has University
• Specialized in radiation oncology since 2003
• Worked at Florence Nightingale Hospital's Radiation Oncology Department

Handled more than 30,000 PET scans and 1,000 thyroid cancer patients – Dr. Borde brings extensive nuclear medicine expertise to proton-beam therapy.

• 11 years of experience of experience in nuclear medicine
• Proficient in radioiodine & Lu-177 RN therapies
• Published papers in various medical journals

Dr. Raj Nagarkar has performed over 50,000+ cancer surgeries with a focus on breast and thoracic oncology at HCG Manavata Cancer Centre.

• Trained at Tata Memorial Hospital and Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
• Professor for DNB Superspecialty Surgical Oncology and Breast Surgery
• Involved in 200+ clinical trials across phases 1-3
• Specializes in improving quality of life post-treatment

Prof. Dr. Gül Alço is a radiation oncologist with about 27 years of experience. She treats breast, lung, prostate, gastrointestinal, gynecologic, central nervous system, head and neck, soft tissue, and bone cancers with radiotherapy.

Her expertise includes adaptive radiotherapy and radiosurgery. She uses advanced radiation techniques to provide personalized, evidence-based care in a multidisciplinary, patient-centered setting.