EPJ Web of Conferences (Jan 2016)

Nuclear physics and particle therapy

  • Battistoni G.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201611705001
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 117
p. 05001

Abstract

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The use of charged particles and nuclei in cancer therapy is one of the most successful cases of application of nuclear physics to medicine. The physical advantages in terms of precision and selectivity, combined with the biological properties of densely ionizing radiation, make charged particle approach an elective choice in a number of cases. Hadron therapy is in continuous development and nuclear physicists can give important contributions to this discipline. In this work some of the relevant aspects in nuclear physics will be reviewed, summarizing the most important directions of research and development.