From June 8 to 13, 2026, Deauville hosted the 64th edition of the Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group (PTCOG), the world’s leading conference dedicated to proton therapy and hadron therapy. Organized under the theme“Waves of Innovation: Advancing Particle Therapy Together,” this year’s conference brought together researchers, clinicians, medical physicists, and healthcare professionals from around the world to share the latest scientific and technological advances in the field.
The 2026 edition broke several records, with1,363 participants from 47 countries, nearly200 educational and scientific sessions, and an exceptional turnout from the international hadrontherapy community.
A strong showing by the teams at the Baclesse Center
The Baclesse Center and CYCLHAD played a major role in this year’s event, held in Normandy. Six professionals from the Center presented their work at the conference:
- Aurore Lecoeur, radiation therapy and proton therapy technologist
- Dr. Thomas Leleu, radiation oncologist
- Nicolas Goliot, resident in oncology and radiation therapy
- Anthony Vela, medical physicist
- Prof. Juliette Thariat, radiation oncologist
- Prof. Jean-Louis Habrand, radiation oncologist
These presentations illustrate the diversity of expertise involved in proton therapy, with the participation of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and radiation therapy technologists.
CYCLHAD at the Center of International Attention
One of the week’s highlights was the tour of CYCLHAD, which generated unprecedented enthusiasm with nearly300 registrants, setting a new attendance record for a treatment center tour in the history of the conference.
To welcome visitors,21 professionals from the Baclesse Center and CYCLHAD, representing various roles and disciplines, came together to showcase the facilities and highlight the expertise developed since 2018 in the field of proton therapy. This tour served to highlight the expertise of the multidisciplinary teams and the innovations implemented to benefit patients.
Leading scientific figures
The conference was also notable for the presence of physicistAlain Aspect, winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics, whose presentation was one of the highlights of this year’s event.
Another important announcement for the future of the field: Professor Olivier Chapet, president of the French Society of Radiation Oncology (SFRO), announced the creation of aworking group dedicated to hadron therapy within the SFRO, reflecting the growing momentum of this therapeutic modality in France.
International Recognition for Normandy’s Expertise
The success of this 64th edition of PTCOG confirms France’s growing role in the development of hadron therapy and provides exceptional international visibility for the teams at the Baclesse Center and CYCLHAD. The large turnout during the center tour, the high quality of the scientific presentations, and the collective efforts of the teams illustrate the major role our institution plays in the development and dissemination of proton therapy for the benefit of patients.
