PROTON THERAPY- Application of Pair Production

PROTON THERAPY

• Protons, a form of particle radiation, have recently been studied as a way to enhance tumor control.
• A proton has a charge of +1 and is a stable particle that makes up the atomic nucleus with the neutron.
• Protons, including photons and electrons, are transmitted to the tumor in the same way.
• As protons pass through normal tissues proximal to the target, the dose deposited by them remains relatively constant.
• Electrons kicked out of atoms pass the protons' kinetic energy to the tumors.