worldwide unique large-scale accelerator facility for heavy ions and currently employs about 1.350 people. The cancer therapy with scanned carbon ion beams was developed and brought to clinical reality during [...] for cancer treatment, extensive research is still needed to maximize healthcare benefits. Improving ion beam therapy for enhanced cancer treatment is the goal of a new European research and training network [...] beams, the vast majority having been treated with protons and around 15,000 patients with heavier ions such as helium, carbon, neon, and argon.” “OMA will push the limits in treatment facility design,