A PET scan of a mouse receiving radioactive ion beam treatment. The edges of the tumour are marked with a red line and the red shading shows where the highest radiation dose is absorbed.

Giulio Lovatti (LMU)

A more accurate way to destroy tumours using beams of radioactive particles could help target hard-to-treat cancers that are close to sensitive organs, such as the spinal cord or optic nerve.

Most radiotherapy uses beams of X-rays to destroy cancerous cells, but for tumours deep inside the body, this can damage healthy tissue in the beam’s path.



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