2. Radiation Biology

Abstract

The application of ion beams in tumor therapy is based on advantages related to their specific physical and radiobiological properties. Regarding the physical properties, the absorbed dose vs. depth profile characterized by the Bragg peak represents the major advantage as compared to conventional photon radiation. Both protons and heavier ions, however, show similar absorbed dose vs. depth profiles. The advantage of heavier ions such as carbon ions as compared to protons is their radiobiological properties, typically exhibiting the following features: