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Title: Particle accelerators for radiotherapy - A review

Conference · · IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5477431

Particle accelerators have played a major role in a national effort to test the efficacy of neutrons and heavy charged particles in the treatment of human cancer. Clinical trials are being conducted with neutrons of several different spectra, negative pi-mesons, protons, alpha particles, and neon, argon and carbon ions. These particles offer the possibility of improving the therapeutic ratio between malignant tumors and normal tissues by having either highly localized dose distributions (charged particles only) and/or an increased differential in the biological effect between tumor cells and normal cells. Until recently all of the heavy particle clinical trials have utilized accelerators designed for physics experiments which have often been remote from hospitals and patient care facilities. These accelerators include cyclotrons, syncrocyclotrons, linear accelerators, the linac sections of the Fermilab accelerator, and the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Bevalac (Bevatron plus Super HILAC). This paper discusses the various accelerators, their respective particle modalities, and their advantages and disadvantages as radiotherapy facilities.

Research Organization:
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
OSTI ID:
5477431
Report Number(s):
CONF-801111-
Journal Information:
IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States), Vol. NS-28:2; Conference: 6. conference on application of accelerators in research and industry, Denton, TX, USA, 3 Nov 1980
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English