Graduate School of Medicine, Division of Health Sciences
I am conducting research on proton beam therapy, one of the radiation therapies for cancer. In recent years, precise radiation therapies using X-rays, such as stereotactic radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy, as well as particle beam therapies using proton and carbon ions, have become widely adopted. Proton therapy offers excellent features, utilizing the physical property known as the Bragg peak, which allows for high dose concentration on tumors while minimizing the dose to surrounding normal tissues. However, if accurate targeting of the tumor is not achieved, it cannot only diminish the effectiveness of the treatment but also lead to potential harm to nearby normal organs. Therefore, to provide proton therapy to patients with high precision and quality, it is crucial to verify whether the prescribed dose is accurately delivered to the intended tumor as planned. So, my research aims to develop a system that utilizes positron-emitting nuclei generated from nuclear spallation reactions occurring within the irradiation region in the patient’s body during proton irradiation of the tumor. This system aims to provide real-time monitoring of the proton irradiation position and dose distribution within the patient’s body.