Using High Energy Electrons To Fight Cancer

Researchers as CERN are always working to find new options for radiation therapy to be more effective and more affordable. Radiation therapy is a procedure that utilizes special equipment called a linear accelerator that emits a beam of electrons into a targeted area of a cancerous tumor on a patient. At high concentration, these x-ray beams can produce a larger enough dose of radiation to kill the cancer cells. Unfortunately, even with very precise placement, the x-ray can cause damage surrounding healthy tissue and organs, so doctors have many obstacles to overcome with effective cancer options still. New developments at CERN are showing great possibilities for the future by creating a electron accelerator called CLIC which uses high energy electrons in a smaller setting and more affordable. In this following article, it describes more in detail the process of this new found technology and how its can further change and evolve radiation treatment from where it is today.

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