UK-SH Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein

In connection with medical engineering, the smalles particulate of material is known as a particle. With particle therapy protons or carbon ions are accelerated to a very high speed by a linear accelerator and then delivered with great precision to the target tissue or tumor. The particles cause irreversible damage to the tumor cells.

Obtaining millimeter accuracy in computing and controlling, the tumor is more precisely radiated than with any other previous method. Also, the surrounding healthy tissue is spared. Due to its accuracy, the method is especially suitable for types of cancer that are difficult to reach or those located close to especially sensitive organs and tissue - for example, sub-cranial or brain cancers, soft tissue and prostate cancer. So far approximately 50 000 patients have been treated with particles worldwide, of those more than 4000 with carbon ions.

The decision in Kiel calls for building a combined system that allows the use of other particle types in addition to protons. This provides the prerequisites for ongoing scientific research focusing on efficient tumor treatment with particles.