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CNAO--The Italian Centre for Light-Ion Therapy
1University of Milano Bicocca, Milan and TERA Foundation, Via Puccini 11, 28100 Novara, Italy. ugo.amaldi@cern.ch
Summary
The TERA Foundation is constructing the National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO) in Italy, a leading hadrontherapy center. Construction is progressing, with the first patient treatment anticipated by the end of 2007.
Area of Science:
- Medical physics and engineering
- Nuclear physics applications in medicine
- Oncology treatment technologies
Background:
- The Italian Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) initiated R&D in hadrontherapy in 1991.
- The TERA Foundation was established in 1992 to advance hadrontherapy center development in Europe.
- The project leverages the Proton Ion Medical Machine Study (PIMMS) design from CERN.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the TERA Foundation's main project, the National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy (CNAO).
- To provide an update on the construction status of the CNAO facility in Pavia, Italy.
- To detail the PIMMS/TERA design modifications and improvements.
Main Methods:
- Development of an optimized medical synchrotron based on the PIMMS design.
- Collaborative efforts involving CERN, Med-AUSTRO, Oncology 2000, and TERA.
- Site selection and preparation for the CNAO facility near the San Matteo University Hospital.
Main Results:
- The CNAO project is a collaborative effort endorsed by the Italian government.
- The TERA Foundation has refined the original PIMMS design into the PIMMS/TERA design.
- Construction is underway at a 37,000 m2 site in Pavia, Italy.
Conclusions:
- The CNAO represents a significant advancement in European hadrontherapy infrastructure.
- The project integrates expertise from various international institutions and the Italian government.
- The facility is on track to begin treating patients by the end of 2007.