The Future of Particle Therapy

Radiotherapy is an essential tool for cancer cure. Over 50% of the cancer patients are exposed to high doses of X-rays as a part of the therapy. Using high-energy, swift charged particles instead of X-rays (photons) has several advantages. Most of the dose is deposited at the end of the ion range in the tissue, and therefore much tissue can be spared. The main hindrance to the use of particle therapy is the high cost. Future improvements include the treatment of noncancer diseases (such as heart arrhythmia) and combination with hibernation.