快中子治癌现状

Status of fast neutron therapy

Radiation therapy has made marked progress following introduction of high energy X rays, gamma rays and electron beams. Nevertheless, there still remains a substantial numbers of patients suffering from the failure of local tumor control. The high LET radiations including fast neutrons, heavy ions and negative pions might be expected to offer a therapeutic gains as compared to those as mentioned above. The rationale for introducing fast neutron therapy mainly is its radiobiological properties that are potentially superior to those of photons and electrons. The tumor types or sites for which a benefit is observed are outlined . Results of clinical trials of high LET radiations therapy are also listed.