Carbon-Ion Therapy

Carbon-ion therapy is one of the most advanced forms of radiotherapy available, using a focused beam of carbon ions instead of conventional x-rays to destroy tumours with exceptional precision. Carbon ions are heavy charged particles that release most of their energy at a controlled depth inside the body, so the beam can be aimed to deliver its full dose inside the tumour while largely sparing the healthy tissue in front of it and beyond it. Because carbon ions also damage tumour cells more powerfully than standard radiation, this treatment is especially valuable for tumours that are difficult to remove surgically or that resist conventional radiotherapy. It is offered at only a small number of highly specialised particle-therapy centres worldwide.