Compiled from public reports
From Russia to Hainan: Sergey’s BNCT assessment and treatment
After local recurrence following chemotherapy and immunotherapy, Sergey (a pseudonym) learned about BNCT through a patient group in Russia. He consulted a Hainan hospital remotely before travelling in May 2026. Public accounts cover arrival, assessment, irradiation and observation; long-term follow-up results have not been disclosed.
Compiled by SinoCareHub · Information checked: 2026-10-12
Patient overview
Sergey (pseudonym) · Russia → Boao, Hainan · BNCT · Small cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus
- Treatment in China:
- Panboron (Hainan) BNCT Hospital · BNCT on 20 May 2026, lasting about 30 minutes.
- Outcome at the reported stage:
- No obvious adverse reactions in the short term after treatment; tumour imaging reassessment and long-term outcomes have not been disclosed.
Seeking options after local recurrence
Sergey (a pseudonym) was a 34-year-old Russian physics professor. In October 2025 he developed enlarged lymph nodes, nasal obstruction, headache and painful swallowing. Excision biopsy of a left supraclavicular lymph node in November diagnosed advanced small cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus.
PET/CT subsequently showed cervical and supraclavicular lymph node involvement. During seven courses of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, the first two treatments briefly reduced pain and facial swelling before efficacy declined. April 2026 reassessment found recurrence in the left maxillary sinus and right cervical lymph nodes.
Remote consultation before deciding to travel
After learning about BNCT through a Russian patient support community, he contacted Panboron (Hainan) BNCT Hospital. The team first consulted online and reviewed records, assessed local maxillary sinus recurrence without detected distant metastases, and proposed a treatment strategy.
The team arranged local treatment of the left maxillary sinus lesion separately from subsequent treatment of the right cervical lymph node lesion.
Treatment in China: From arrival in Haikou to irradiation
He arrived in Haikou on 17 May 2026 and attended the hospital on 18 May. Wang Enmin's team developed an individual plan. On 20 May, after intravenous boron medicine and simulation with positioning adjustments, neutron irradiation was delivered to the left maxillary sinus lesion.
Treatment lasted about 30 minutes, followed by hospital observation.
Observation, travel plans and lesions awaiting reassessment
No obvious serious adverse reactions appeared in the short term. In an interview the following day, he reported feeling physically and emotionally better than before treatment. He was discharged after observation and planned to return to Russia on the fourth day after treatment.
Doctors proposed considering subsequent BNCT for the recurrent right cervical lymph node lesion alongside systemic treatment. Subsequent imaging assessments and long-term outcomes have not been disclosed. Short-term improvement in how he felt does not replace assessment of tumour response.
Sources and scope
- [1] Feature: a Russian professor's 'new life in Lecheng'
Hainan Daily app · Sina republication ·
- [2] Thousands of kilometres and 30-minute BNCT: a Russian physics professor's Lecheng decision
Boao Lecheng pilot zone administration · Official Weibo article ·
- [3] A Russian patient chooses BNCT
Boao Lecheng pilot zone administration · Official Weibo / Sina ·
Image source: Hainan Daily app / Sina News · BNCT treatment setting
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