Particle therapy

Particle therapy is a form of external beam radiotherapy that uses beams of energetic protons, neutrons, or positive ions for cancer treatment. The most common type of particle therapy as of 2012 is proton therapy.

History

The idea of particle therapy was first proposed in 1946 by Robert R. Wilson in a paper published in the journal Radiology. The first treatments were performed with particle accelerators built for physics research, notably Berkeley Radiation Laboratory in 1954 and at Uppsala University in 1957.

Treatment

Particle therapy works by aiming energetic ionizing particles at the target tumor. These particles damage the DNA of tissue cells, ultimately causing their death. Because of the precise nature of particle therapy, it can be used to treat tumors in difficult or sensitive locations with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Types

There are several types of particle therapy, including proton therapy, neutron therapy, and heavy-ion therapy. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of which to use depends on the specifics of the patient's condition.

Advantages

The main advantage of particle therapy is its ability to deliver precise doses of radiation to a tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This is particularly important for tumors located near sensitive structures, such as the brain or spinal cord.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of particle therapy is its cost. Particle therapy facilities are expensive to build and operate, and the treatment itself is more expensive than conventional radiation therapy.

See also

• Radiation therapy
• Cancer treatment
• Proton therapy
• Neutron therapy
• Heavy-ion therapy

Particle therapy Resources
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