Por Isabel Almeida (Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies, IST).
Abstract: Proton therapy is an emerging technique to treat cancer in the last decade. The clinical rational of proton therapy is the potential to decrease the levels of radiation given to healthy tissues, while keeping a very high dose conformity to the tumor. Moreover, with the increase of life expectancy worldwide and higher rate of cancer cases in children and young adults, there is the real need to reduce radiation induces side effects.
Short bio: Isabel Almeida did her PhD on improving geometric input data for Monte Carlo dose calculations for proton therapy at the radiotherapy Institute MAASTRO Clinic, Maastricht, the Netherlands. In 2018 Isabel had the opportunity to take part on the commissioning of the proton center in Maastricht and continued working for the proton center as a physicist since the start of patient treatments. Isabel is now working at the Center of Nuclear Sciences and Technologies at CTN/IST as part of the Taskforce on Proton Therapy and Research.