Ion beam therapy is a form of radiation therapy used to treat cancer. Protons or carbon ions are used – both are charged, massive particles.
About the method
Ion beam therapy at a glance
MedAustron applies an innovative form of radiotherapy using protons and carbon ions. This method spares the surrounding healthy tissue in a much better way than conventional radiotherapy.
Ion or particle therapy allows to reduce radiation exposure in healthy tissue compared to conventional radiotherapy – making it an ideal treatment for tumors close to radiation-sensitive organs. The risk of side and long-term effects can be minimized, thus increasing the chances of recovery for cancer patients. Therapy with protons is particularly suitable for children and adolescents, while irradiation with carbon ions offers a real opportunity in case of tumors that are resistant to conventional radiotherapy.
More informationClinical pictures
Indications
Clinical pictures
Indications
Tumors close to radiation-sensitive organs are the main area of application for particle therapy. Patients with pediatric tumors and local recurrences are also important groups treated by the therapy with charged particles.
For our young patients
The Treatment of children
Please contact us
Do you have any questions about ion beam therapy or MedAustron?
Do you have any questions about the therapy or procedure? Whatever you want to know, do not hesitate to contact us. We will get back to you within two business days.
Contact Therapy requestTherapy costs
Depending on your insurance status, there are different things to consider before starting therapy at MedAustron.
Persons under Austrian health insurance
In principle, treatment costs are covered by health insurance…
More informationPrivately insured persons
Upon medical approval, we will provide an individualized treatment offer….
More informationInternational patients
Upon medical approval, we will provide an individualized treatment offer….
More information
Here you will find answers
Frequently asked questions
About ion beam therapy
What is ion beam or particle therapy?
How are the particles generated?
Is ion beam therapy suitable for every type of cancer?
Protons are obtained from hydrogen gas H2, carbon ions from carbon dioxide CO2. The physical properties of protons and carbon ions are similar, but carbon ions have a much higher, so-called “biological effectiveness”.
Compared to conventional radiotherapy with photons, particle therapy is able to reduce the radiation exposure of the adjacent healthy tissue and almost completely spare the tissue behind the tumour. Therefore, particle therapy is an ideal treatment for localized tumours in the vicinity of radiosensitive organs. Since strongly growing tissue reacts more sensitively to radiation, proton therapy is particularly suitable for cancer in children and adolescents.