The Department of Radiation Oncology of Zhongshan Hospital, affiliated with Fudan University, has a rich history spanning over 70 years. Located in Building 12 and Building 8 of the West Campus, the department currently is equipped with four medical linear accelerators (LAs) and two helical tomography radiotherapy systems (TOMO), which are currently the most advanced in China. Additionally, it also has one robot X-ray stereotactic radiotherapy system (Cyberknife), one intra-operative radiotherapy, 23 sets of radiation treatment planning systems and two simulated CTs. In 2023, with the commissioning of the third phase of Zhongshan Hospital, the Department of Radiation Oncology expands another 9 new treatment rooms and radiotherapy support rooms. At this time, the Department of Radiation Oncology of Zhongshan Hospital has already been equipped with advanced equipment such as "TOMO knife", "Cyber knife", VMAT and other LAs. The Department of Radiation Oncology is well-organized with a well-trained and experienced team of medical and technical personnel. The department places equal emphasis on medicine, teaching and research, making it a teaching site of master's degree and doctor's degree. Meanwhile, its medical treatment and diagnostic technology has consistently ranked at the forefront of China.

When the department was originally established in 1996, it was equipped with only a linear accelerator (GE-41F) and a Toshiba radiotherapy simulator for routine X-ray and electron beam external irradiation. The primary treatments focused on head and neck tumors and chest tumors, such as lymphoma, breast cancer following surgery.

In 2005, the 3D conformal treatment planning system (TPS) was introduced for tumor radiotherapy. Then, the Siemens OncoAvant-Garde high-energy LA was installed and utilized for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)in 2006. Since 2009, IMRT has gradually become the primary form of tumor radiotherapy. In order to accommodate the growing geometrical demands of patients, the department implemented a system of working overtime on Saturdays and nights, refraining from taking a break at noon, to ensure the maintenance of radiotherapy conduction on Sundays.

On June 6, 2011, the Radiation Oncology Department performed the first case of the world's most advanced TOMO radiotherapy, and patient with liver cancer became the first beneficiary. The Helical Tomotherapy System offers targeted radiotherapy for tumors, which can be considered as a significant technological innovation in radiotherapy equipment. There have been more than 10,000 patients benefited from TOMO since July 2024. Currently, the Department of Radiation Oncology stands at the forefront of China in terms of equipment configuration and application technology, which meets the demand of modern precise radiotherapy and accurate treatment.

In 2003, the Division Department of Radiation Oncology merged with Zhongshan Hospital and Shanghai Textile Third Hospital to establish a joint ward for lung tumor radiotherapy. In 2016, the Radiation Oncology Department of Zhongshan Hospital was further strengthened by merging the headquarter with the Branch Department of Radiation Oncology. In March 2016, the first ward of oncology day ward was opened at the headquarter, equipped with 24 official beds for simultaneous radiotherapy and clinical management of radiotherapy side effects. In July 2024, the Radiation

Table 1: Director of Radiation Oncology Department from 1996 to 2024

The Department of Radiation Oncology of Zhongshan Hospital takes the advantage of a large comprehensive hospital to provide comprehensive tumor treatment. The department also collaborates closely with various clinical departments to establish several comprehensive tumor treatment centers, which provides patients with more reasonable and individualized treatments thereby reducing the medical costs and improving the therapeutic effects.

As part of the Liver Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment Center, a key clinical discipline in Shanghai, radiotherapy for liver cancer is one of their specialties. The Department of Radiation Oncology, along with the Department of Pulmonology and the Department of Thoracic Surgery, has established the Lung Tumor Comprehensive Treatment Center. The department actively participates in the Multidisciplinary Diagnostic and Treatment Team (MDT) for various tumors, including colonrectal, lung, esophageal, breast, gastric, pancreatic, prostate, biliary tract, and retroperitoneal tumors at Zhongshan Hospital. In addition, it also has extensive experience in the comprehensive treatment of patients with urological tumors (kidney cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer) and brain tumors.

Prof. Zeng Zhaochong of the Radiation Oncology Department, Zhongshan Hospital, a well-known expert in the field of radiotherapy, was dedicated to clinical and basic research on radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Prof. Zeng was awarded the prestigious title of Shanghai Leading Talent, Shanghai Outstanding Academic Leader, and Outstanding Communist Party Member, Shanghai Excellent Doctor. He has made significant strides in the radiotherapy field, authoring the Asia-Pacific Consensus on Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma, titled "CONSENSUS FOR SBRT FOR HCC FROM THE SEVENTH APPLE" and participating the editions of Consensus for Radiotherapy for Primary Liver Cancer from 2016 to 2020. Prof. Zeng has published more than 120 SCI papers as the first or corresponding author. Additionally, he edited the textbook of 《Clinical Practice of Radiotherapy for Primary Liver Cancer》.

The clinical and basic research team led by Dr. Zeng has consistently been devoted on translating clinical problems into practical application. Their research work concentrated on the underlying mechanism of radiation liver injury and combined immunity with radiotherapy, that pragmatic and innovative research resulted in a series publication of finding in international journals and clinical guidelines.

The Radiation Oncology Department adheres to the Zhongshan spirit of "patient-centeredness", embraces new ideas in clinical research, and pays attention to new trends in basic radiation oncology research. Notably, the Radiation Biology Laboratory has experienced rapid growth, with 15 ongoing basic research projects, including National Natural Science Foundation of China and Major Special Projects of the Ministry of Science and Technology.