HollandPTC: a new treatment in the fight against cancer
26 February 2009 by M&C TNWTogether with Erasmus MC / Daniel den Hoed, the Netherlands Cancer Institute / Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital and Leids Universitair Medisch Centrum, the TU Delft is working on the realisation of a centre dedicated to a new form of cancer treatment.
Particle therapy
Developed in the United States, the treatment (particle therapy) is a very precise form of radiotherapy, which makes use of minuscule charged particles such as protons. For this reason, the therapy is also known as proton therapy. Using these particles, it is possible to irradiate tumours more accurately and effectively – and with less damage to surrounding healthy tissue – than is possible using conventional techniques. As a result, the treatment frequently offers better prospects for success, while the patient experiences fewer debiliating side-effects.
Together
People who come to HollandPTC for treatment will be in expert hands: various renowned Dutch institutions with strong reputations in the fields of patient care, cancer treatment and radiotherapy are participating in the project. Together, these institutions are working to realise HollandPTC in the heart of the Randstad by 2012.
Scientific research and training
In addition to providing the best possible patient care, HollandPTC will function as a training facility and a centre for groundbreaking scientific research. In this way, the centre aims to contribute to future advances in the fight against cancer.
For more information: www.HollandPTC.nl
