Abstract
Accurate Monte Carlo simulations and simplified methods were used to investigate the shielding requirements of a hypothetical accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT) facility that included an accelerator room and a patient treatment room. The epithermal neutron beam for BNCT purpose was generated by coupling a neutron production target with a specially designed beam shaping assembly (BSA), which was embedded in the partition wall between the two rooms. Neutrons were produced from a beryllium target bombarded by 1-mA 30-MeV protons. The MCNP6-generated surface sources around all the exterior surfaces of the BSA were established to facilitate repeated Monte Carlo shielding calculations. In addition, three simplified models based on a point-source line-of-sight approximation were developed and their predictions were compared with the reference Monte Carlo results. The comparison determined which model resulted in better dose estimation, forming the basis of future design activities for the first ABBNCT facility in Taiwan.
Highlights
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a form of targeted radiotherapy that relies on the thermal neutron capture reaction of boron-10, leading to two heavy charged particles to kill only boron-compound-bearing cells while sparing other surrounding tissues
The Tsing Hua Open-Pool Reactor (THOR), a 2 MW research reactor located at the campus of National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan, has been successfully upgraded and renovated for BNCT application in 2004 [1]
The design of beam shaping assembly (BSA) aims at production of an optimal epithermal neutron beam for BNCT purpose
Summary
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a form of targeted radiotherapy that relies on the thermal neutron capture reaction of boron-10, leading to two heavy charged particles to kill only boron-compound-bearing cells while sparing other surrounding tissues. It is an ideal selective form of radiotherapy if a high ratio of boron concentration between tumor and normal tissues could be achieved. The method could be used to treat deeper-seated tumors in patients by using epithermal neutron beam. More than 20 patients have been treated with BNCT and the overall response is encouraging
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