Proton beams have a finite range and allow radiation treatments to be delivered with less dose to the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor. There is however the potential to take even more benefit from the physical advantage of proton beams, by placing the sharp distal dose gradient exactly on the interface between the target volume and nearby healthy organs. This is currently not feasible because of the uncertainty in the range of the beams in the patient.

The Proton Dosimetry Verification Lab develops new technology to determine precisely what the actual dose distribution is that is delivered by proton beams to the patient. We have developed the prompt gamma-ray spectroscopy method for determining the range of delivered proton pencil-beams and are currently conducting the first clinical studies. In the future, we plan to fine-tune proton treatments such that we can use the full advantage of protons and with minimal difference between the treatment plan and the delivered dose.

Lab head: Joost Verburg, Ph.D.