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.