The facility is the first of its kind in South America and will use proton therapy, which is a more precise radiotherapy technique than conventional radiotherapy, to treat tumours. It allows for the delivery of the therapeutic dose to be concentrated within the tumour reducing the side effects on healthy tissue.
The centre features a proton cyclotron accelerator, two clinical treatment rooms and a Proton Research and Development Laboratory. It will also offer conventional radiotherapy servives using photons, the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN) said.
The start-up licence is for the cyclotron, the proton beam transport line and the research lab.
The ARN said the commissioning licence authorises the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) to "perform technical operational tests on the cyclotron, the proton beam transport line, and the LAIDEP laboratory. These tests will allow for the commissioning of the accelerator equipment and the proton beam transport line, a necessary condition for putting the clinical rooms into operation, which will occur at a later stage.
"CNEA will conduct verification tests of the operating, control,and safety systems, as well as train the personnel who will perform specific tasks at the facility. The ARN will continue to independently supervise and verify compliance with the commissioning programme through inspections and reviews at key points in the licensing process."
The start-up licence is valid for two years, or until the operating licence is issued if that occurs first.
The Proton Therapy Centre is being built in Buenos Aires, next to the Nuclear Diagnostic Center Foundation and is a joint project between CNEA, the University of Buenos Aires and construction company INVAP.
