On March 10th and 11th 2025, the “Hadron therapy for life” symposium will bring together around fifty leading international scientists specialising in this new cancer treatment technique. Hadron therapy involves irradiating tumour cells to destroy them while preserving healthy organs and tissues.

Hadron therapy, promising results in the fight against cancer

Hadron therapy is a specific form of radiotherapy designed to destroy tumour cells. Unlike conventional X-ray radiotherapy, hadron therapy relies on the energy produced by beams of heavy particles – either protons (proton therapy) or carbon ions (carbon therapy). In France, only three centres currently offer proton therapy treatment, which requires advanced infrastructure and equipment: Nice, Orsay, and, since 2018, Caen.

The medical and scientific community is paying close attention to the development of carbon ion hadron therapy. Numerous scientific studies conducted to assess its potential in cancer treatment, identify associated toxicities, and better understand the benefit-risk balance are showing promising results.

This new method offers superior ballistic precision compared to conventional radiotherapy. As a result, hadron therapy delivers high doses of radiation directly to cancerous cells while minimising damage to surrounding organs. Hadron therapy is thus particularly well-suited for tumours that are difficult to operate and those resistant to standard treatments.

Hadron Therapy in Caen

The François Baclesse Cancer Centre and the University of Caen Normandy have developed unique skills in hadron therapy in France, driven by the Normandy Region, which has actively invested in the necessary infrastructure to advance this cancer treatment method. These facilities not only enhance Caen’s scientific appeal but also improve patient treatment and survival rates, particularly for Normans.

Every day, CYCLHAD, the Normandy proton therapy centre, treats patients under the care of the François Baclesse Cancer Centre. Beyond Caen, only two other centres in France provide proton therapy treatment.

By 2027, CYCLHAD will become the world’s only site equipped with a C400 particle accelerator, a highly compact superconducting machine notably capable of delivering carbon ions, paving the way for ground-breaking new treatments that will benefit patients.