The hadron radiotherapy centre project at the Institute of Nuclear Physics in Krakow, Poland

In collaboration with the Clinic of Ophthalmology and the Institute of Molecular Biology (both Jagiellonian University) and the Department of Physics and Nuclear Techniques of the University of Mining and Metallurgy (AGH), we propose to establish a modern centre of radiotherapy which would exploit beams of 60 MeV protons and fast neutrons produced by the AIC-144 isochronous cyclotron of the Institute of Nuclear Physics (INP) in Krakow. The Centre of Hadron Radiotherapy at the INP would satisfy national needs for treating ocular melanoma and clinically indicated fast neutron radiotherapy, also producing selected medical radioisotopes. The Centre will offer research and training opportunities to physicians, physicists, biologists and engineers, in close co-operation with laboratories abroad. For almost twenty years neutron radiotherapy and ocular brachytherapy have been carried out in Krakow, the main accelerator infrastructure already exists, and the siting of the Institute of Nuclear Physics in Krakow is convenient for out-patient treatment. We estimate that a sum of about 6 million German Marks, invested over a period of four years into the present INP infrastructure of at least the same value, in order to adjust the AIC-144 cyclotron, to equip the proton ocular therapy and fast neutron radiotherapy facilities, and to partially support the necessary research work in this area, would allow us to treat about 300 patients a year, to produce selected medical radioisotopes and to provide the staff of participating institutions with research opportunities. We have already received some support from the State Committee for Scientific Research and are applying to the Polish-German Cooperation Foundation for partial support of this project