The Rise of Particle Beam Therapy: Are We Ready for The Potential Game-Changer?

摘要

Looking back the history of oncology, especially that of radiation therapy (RT), there have been several important pivotal technical innovations that provided the major breakthroughs. In most clinical settings, these have impacted and changed not only the concepts of RT, but also improved the consequent clinical outcomes following the advanced RT techniques. Particle beam therapy, which typically includes the irradiation of either proton beams or carbon ion beams, has currently become one of the major game-changers in radiation oncology field. The history of “particle physics” dates back to 1930s, when it was recognized as a distinct subject of modern physics, and the applicability of particle beams in treating the human patients was proved shortly after the World War II [1]. The clinical application of proton beam therapy using the dedicated equipment, however, began in 1990 at Loma Linda University Medical Center [2]. In Korea, there are currently two institutes operating the proton beam therapy equipment (National Cancer Center Korea and Samsung Medical Center), and two institutes are undergoing the installation process of carbon ion beam therapy facilities (Yonsei Cancer Center and Seoul National University Hospital). In addition, a few more institutes have committed or are considering to install their new particle beam therapy facilities.