Light ion facility projects in Europe: medico-economic features

Likewise, ongoing light ions therapy projects in Europe are based on a strong radiobiological rationale, supported by the preliminary clinical results from NIRS and GSI that tend to confirm the hypothesis of the expected therapeutic gain using High LET particles for radio-resistant tumors [2-4]. However, long-term results in prospective studies are still mandatory to assess the magnitude of the therapeutic gain, long-term toxicity, and validate the feasibility and safety of high hypo-fractionation schemes. Selection of the most suitable tumors for light ions therapy is one the main deal for the future of this new therapeutic approach in radiation oncology, and is under investigation in the framework of the European Network for Light Ion Therapy (ENLIGHT). Nevertheless, the most important concerns raised by health care managers are the high amount of investment cost and above all running costs of this new treatment modality, and its efficiency.