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Joint symposium 2009 on carbon ion radiotherapy

¹ Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ and ² 21C Institute of Particle Therapy Cancer Research, Particle Physics, Denys Wilkinson Building, Keble Road, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3RH, UK

Correspondence: Bleddyn Jones, Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK. E-mail: Bleddyn.Jones{at}rob.ox.ac.uk

The clinical results of carbon ion therapy pioneered in Japan remain promising, especially in a wide range of cancers that are difficult to treat using X-rays. As well as producing impressive tumour control rates, there appears to be a marked reduction in radiation-related toxicity, as would be expected from the advantageous dose distributions. There remain some controversial research-related issues, such as the radiobiological conversion methods, dose fractionation, and which form of accelerator systems and treatment delivery systems should be used. Cost is a major issue, which is being addressed by the use of far fewer treatments than with X-ray therapy. The expansion of this form of treatment in Japan and mainland Europe will provide opportunities for a large research portfolio, which is necessary to optimise this kinder form of radiotherapy.