High energy beams a boost for cancer treatment

Chinese nuclear physicists have developed a medical treatment using heavy ion beams to destroy malignant tumors more than 2.1 cm below the skin's surface.

Compared with light ion beams, such as gamma rays and X-rays used in traditional radiotherapies, heavy ion beams are considered the most effective means so far of accurately moderating the amount of radiation and minimizing the damage done to healthy cells, said Zhan Wenlong, the country's leading nuclear physicist.

He explained the new treatment uses stronger heavy ion beams that reach a maximum of 400 mega electron volts (MeV) and can travel further into the human body to kill deeper tumors. With this medical goal achieved, China joins Germany, Japan and the United States using heavy ions in cancer therapy.

source: China Daily