IL CENTRO NAZIONALE DI ADROTERAPIA ONCOLOGICA: INNOVAZIONI TECNICO-SCIENTIFICHE E NUOVE PROSPETTIVE DELLA BNCT PER LA LOTTA AI TUMORI

Protons and carbon ions (hadrons) have useful properties for the treatments of patients affected by oncological pathologies. They are more precise than conventional X-rays and possess radiobiological characteristics suited for treating radioresistant or inoperable tumors. This paper gives an overview of the status of hadron therapy around the world. It focusses on the Italian National Centre for Oncological Hadron therapy (CNAO), describing the centre and the expansion projects. There is growing evidence that supports safety and effectiveness of hadron therapy for a variety of clinical situations. However, there is still a lack of high-level evidence directly comparing hadron therapy with modern conventional radiotherapy techniques. The results give an overview of pre-clinical and clinical research studies and of the treatments of 3700 patients performed at CNAO. The success and development of hadron therapy is strongly associated with the creation of networks among hadron therapy facilities, clinics, universities and research institutions.