gms | German Medical Science

48th Meeting of the Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group

Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group (PTCOG)

28.09. - 03.10.2009, Heidelberg

Current Status of Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center

Meeting Abstract

  • T. Nakano - Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
  • T. Ohno - Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
  • H. Katoh - Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
  • T. Tamaki - Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
  • Y. Yoshida - Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
  • K. Yusa - Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
  • M. Tashiro - Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
  • K. Torikai - Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
  • H. Shimada - Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
  • M. Sakama - Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
  • T. Kanai - Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan
  • S. Yamada - Heavy Ion Medical Center, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma, Japan

PTCOG 48. Meeting of the Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group. Heidelberg, 28.09.-03.10.2009. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2009. Doc09ptcog146

doi: 10.3205/09ptcog146, urn:nbn:de:0183-09ptcog1464

Published: September 24, 2009

© 2009 Nakano et al.
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Outline

Text

A carbon-ion radiotherapy facility, Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, is currently being constructed in Gunma, Japan. This Center is the first "compact" carbon-ion therapy facility to accomplish the medical application of carbon-ion beam technology developed by the National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS); the facility size and the construction cost are reduced to approximately 1/3 of Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC) in NIRS. The Center will be established within the organization of the Gunma University Hospital.

This facility consists of a compact ECR ion source, two types of linacs (an RFQ and an IH-DTL), a synchrotron having a circumference of 63 m, high-energy beam transport lines, three treatment rooms with four irradiation ports (horizontal, horizontal/vertical, vertical), and an irradiation room designated for research and development of new irradiation methods. Carbon-ion beams having energies of up to 400 MeV/n can be generated. They have a corresponding residual range of 25 cm in water, which is sufficient to reach deep-seated tumors in the human body.

Currently, the clinical protocols for the treatment of prostate cancer and lung cancer have been finalized, and the protocols for the treatment of liver cancer, recurrent rectal cancer, head and neck cancer, and bone and soft tissue tumors are being devised. This facility is designed to treat more than 800 patients per year.

The construction of the building was completed in October, 2008, and the installation and assembly of the accelerator was finished in March, 2009. After the machine has been commissioned, the first clinical treatment is scheduled to start by March 2010. In cooperation with NIRS, Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center will host the next PTCOG Meeting (PTCOG 49) in May, 2010.