Carbon ion particle therapy - from accelerators to medical application

Abstract

Particle therapy is gaining increasing usage internationally with particle therapy now being routinely used as a part of the radiotherapy protocols for cancer in several countries. Australia currently has several particle therapy proposals in development, including recent funding for a South Australian proton therapy and research facility. ANSTO and others are supporting the establishment of a National Particle Treatment and Research Centre. Unlike conventional Xray therapy, which uses accelerated electrons to generate X-rays, particle therapy uses a particle accelerator to fire ions directly in a highly precise beam into the patient to spare healthy tissue and ensure conformity of the dose delivery. Carbon ion therapy facilities use accelerated 12C ions because the carbon ions have a higher Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE) when compared to X-rays or protons, as well as a better dose conformation to a tumour. An overview of different accelerator technologies and treatment delivery methods will be given as well as highlights of the latest developments for patient dose delivery technology.