High energy accelerator technology in radiology

Radiation treatment of cancer dates back about 100 years. Today, mega-voltage electron accelerators are used routinely to irradiate many kinds of tumours. About two thirds of all cancer patients receive at least some radiation. More recently, other kinds of particles have come into use, some already on a more or less routine basis: neutrons, pions, protons and other light ions. Experience with some of these particles at PSI is described. As an illustration, a concept for advanced accelerator-based therapy is described; it consists of a 2.5 MeV RFQ injector, a 70 MeV linac, a 250 MeV H/sup $/synchrotron, and a 2.1 GeV electron ring operated as a synchrotron light source. Possible niches for high energy technology are identified.<
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