The changing role of accelerators in radiation therapy

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TNS.1983.4332641· OSTI ID:5676102

Hanson, W F

Conventional low energy x-rays have been used in radiation therapy since the turn of the century. Van de Graaff and Betatron accelerators changed the complexion of radiation therapy in the mid 1940's by providing significantly deeper penetrating photon beams and also providing therapeutic quality electron beams. The development of Cobalt-60 teletherapy in the mid 1950's suppressed the role of accelerators in radiation therapy for nearly 20 years. However, with the development of reliable isocentric rotating linear accelerators, accelerators are rapidly becoming the most popular conventional therapy devices. Following unfavorable clinical results with fast neutron therapy in the late 1930's and early 1940's, the role of cyclotron produced fast neutrons is presently experiencing a renewal in radiation therapy. Several facilities are also experimenting with heavy charged particle beams for therapy.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Physics, M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Instit., Houston, TX
• OSTI ID: 5676102
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States), Vol. 30:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
ACCELERATORS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
USES
RADIOTHERAPY
ACCELERATOR FACILITIES
BETATRONS
COBALT 60
FAST NEUTRONS
VAN DE GRAAFF ACCELERATORS
X RADIATION
BARYONS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
COBALT ISOTOPES
CYCLIC ACCELERATORS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTROSTATIC ACCELERATORS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MEDICINE
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NUCLEI
NUCLEONS
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIOLOGY
THERAPY
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
430303* - Particle Accelerators- Experimental Facilities & Equipment