New proton beam therapy system to be showcased in UK

The UK medical community will get a chance to see an advanced new proton beam therapy system at the upcoming International Conference on Position Sensitive Detectors.

Taking place at the University of Surrey from September 7th to 12th, the event will see a team from the University of Lincoln showcasing the fruits of its PRaVDA (Proton Radiotherapy Verification and Dosimetry Applications) project.

Funded by a 1.6 million pound grant from the Wellcome Trust, the new system builds on existing proton beam therapy principles, which use a beam of protons to irradiate diseased tissue directly, with little impact on healthy cells.

The new solution incorporates a unique instrument capable of producing real-time 3D images of a patient, drawing data from the same protons used in the treatment itself. Using detectors similar to those found in the Large Hadron Collider, this will reduce dose uncertainties from several centimetres to just a few millimetres, making it more suitable for use in sensitive areas.

Professor Nigel Allinson of the University of Lincoln said: "PRaVDA will ensure more difficult tumours will become treatable and more patients overall will be able to receive this revolutionary treatment."

At present, proton beam therapy is not widely available in the UK, though the NHS is currently building two proton beam centres in London and Manchester that are expected to open in 2018.