As mentioned in the introductory section, the clinical superiority of particle treatments is a direct result of the so-called Bragg peak, the dose peak at the tumor location. Due to this phyiscal property, the dose in the surrounding normal tissues and critical organs is decreased and could result in less toxicity as well as a reduced risk of secondary cancer.

The high precision obtained as well as the reduced damage to surrounding tissue indicate in many cases that the survival results for particle therapy are equivalent to surgical procedures. Due to the non-invasive method, patients do not have to accept the risks and side effects of surgery with the same or better results.

In comparing the treatment plans of intensity modulated photons, one of the most advanced photon therapy methods, with protons, the potential superiority of particle therapy can be seen.

The improved active pencil beam scanning technology for particle therapy minimizes the effects of secondary scattering present in passive beam systems in use today in particle therapy.

Aside from these advantages of the system, Siemens especially promotes the treatment with carbon ions due to its proven higher radiobiological effectiveness. Carbon ions damage the cancer cells to much higher degree, which allows for fewer irradiation sessions compared to photons or light ions such as protons.

*Siemens Particle Therapy products and solutions are works-in-progress and require country specific regulatory approval prior to clinical use.