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Clinical evidence of particle beam therapy (proton)

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Abstract

Proton beam therapy (PBT) makes it possible to deliver a high concentration of radiation to a tumor using its Bragg peak, and it is simple to utilize as its radiobiological characteristics are identical to those of photon beams. PBT has now been used for half a century, and more than 60,000 patients worldwide are reported to have been treated with proton beams. The most significant change to PBT occurred in the 1990s, when the Loma Linda University Medical Center became the first hospital in the world to operate a medically dedicated proton therapy facility. Following its success, similar medically dedicated facilities have been constructed. Internationally, results have demonstrated the therapeutic superiority of PBT over alternative treatment options for several disease sites. Further advances in PBT are expected from both clinical and technological perspectives.

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I declare that I have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Proton Therapy and Research Center, Medipolis Medical Research Institute, Higashikata 5188, Ibusuki, Kagoshima, 891-0304, Japan

    Takashi Ogino

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  1. Takashi Ogino
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Correspondence to Takashi Ogino.

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Ogino, T. Clinical evidence of particle beam therapy (proton). Int J Clin Oncol 17, 79–84 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-012-0390-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-012-0390-z

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