Heavy Ion Radiotherapy at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory

Heavy ion radiotherapy potentially offers both dose localization and biologic advantages over conventional radiations in the treatment of cancer. Approximately 400 patients have been treated with either helium , carbon, neon, argon or silicon beams. Aspects of particle therapy are reviewed. Experience with these beams have defined parameters required of a hospital based heavy ion machine. A design study of such a machine is now underway at LBL.