Opening of Proton Beam Therapy in Japan

Abstract

Just after completion of the 12-GeV proton synchrotron complex at KEK in 1976, medical use of rapid-cycling 500-MeV Booster beams were investigated. Prof. Herman Suit of Harvard University recommended proton beam therapy, and soon it became clear that it was most suitable for Tsukuba. University of Tsukuba built and operated a medical research center with support of KEK. It included three activities, fast neutron therapy, proton radiography and proton therapy. It was showed clinically that the proton beam therapy is effective for deep-seated tumors such as hepatoma.