title: A comprehensive PC-based computer model for microdosimetry of BNCT.
abstract: A computer model is described that performs microdosimetric calculations of the radiation dose delivered to tumour and normal tissue in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) by simulating capture reactions in a predefined three-dimensional space. The role of intracellular boron distributions and cellular dimensions on the radiation dose in clinical and experimental BNCT has been studied using a PC-based computer model. In order to calculate the radiation dose to low boron uptake cells, the extent of irradiation by boron containing adjacent cells (cross fire) is also dealt with. Radiation doses from boron and nitrogen neutron capture are converted to a biological effect by means of relative individual ion track segment efficacies, based on linear energy transfer along the particle track. A good correlation was found after comparing predicted values with previously published experimental data. A number of examples is given to illustrate the program's features.
authors.affiliation: Division of Experimental Therapy, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verrijk
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Huiskamp
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Begg
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Wheeler
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Watkins
mesh_terms: D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000528:radiation effects; D008838:Microcomputers; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012984:Software