title: Particle radiation therapy using proton and heavier ion beams.
abstract: Particle beams like protons and heavier ions offer improved dose distributions compared with photon (also called x-ray) beams and thus enable dose escalation within the tumor while sparing normal tissues. Although protons have a biologic effectiveness comparable to photons, ions, because they are heavier than protons, provide a higher biologic effectiveness. Recent technologic developments in the fields of accelerator engineering, treatment planning, beam delivery, and tumor visualization have stimulated the process of transferring particle radiation therapy (RT) from physics laboratories to the clinic. This review describes the physical, biologic, and technologic aspects of particle beam therapy. Clinical trials investigating proton and carbon ion RT will be summarized and discussed in the context of their relevance to recent concepts of treatment with RT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany. daniela.ertner@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schulz-Ertner
authors.forename: Hirohiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsujii
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D063193:Heavy Ion Radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D061766:Proton Therapy; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011522:Protons
chemical_list: D011522:Protons