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Proton radiography: one step closer to clinical use

Proton radiography: one step closer to clinical use

A prototype proton radiography system produces images with sufficient quality for range verification and patient alignment prior to proton therapy. (Courtesy: Christina Sarosiek)

Protons. Destroying cancer cells more precisely than X-rays. Depositing less dose in healthy tissues. Verifying treatment plans and improving patient alignment?

Christina Sarosiek, a graduate student at Northern Illinois University, is working on that.

“The goal of our project is to make proton therapy safer and more effective using an imaging modality called proton radiography,” she explains. “We’re able to take a picture of the tumour directly before treatment and therefore know that we’re irradiating the tumour and not healthy tissues.”