AbstractsPsychology

This thesis seeks to review the latest trends in hadron therapy devices, and evaluate the potential of novel, researched accelerator concepts for future application. Although the clinical benefits of hadron therapy over photon therapy is unproven or disputed for many cancer types, there are several cases where hadron therapy presents a superior option. Many governments and medical institutions are planning or already executing development of new hadron treatment facilities. However, the higher associated costs have been a formidable obstacle for hadron therapy endeavors. This may be about to change; recent years have seen the introduction of economic single-room devices, and novel accelerator concepts hold potential to reduce cost further through improved compactness. Single-room gantry-mounted cyclotrons have already entered the market at prices competitive with X-ray facilities, and advanced, compact proton and ion accelerators offering unprecedented treatment could soon be ready for commercialization. Novel accelerator research may further contribute to improve the efficacy and economic aspects of future particle therapy devices.Keywords: Hadron therapy, hadrontherapy, particle therapy, radiation therapy, medical accelerators.