title: On the optimal energy of epithermal neutron beams for BNCT.
abstract: The optimal neutron energy for the treatment of deep-seated tumours using boron neutron capture therapy is studied by analysing various figures of merit. In particular, analysis of the therapeutic gain as a function of the neutron energy indicates that, with the currently available 10B carriers, the most useful neutrons for the treatment of deep-seated tumours, in particular glioblastoma multiforme, are those with an energy of a few keV. Based on the results of the simulations, a method is presented which allows us to evaluate the quality of epithermal neutron beams of known energy spectrum, thus allowing us to compare different neutron-producing reactions and beam-shaping assembly configurations used for accelerator-based neutron sources.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Biscegliet
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Colangelo
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Colonna
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Santorelli
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Variale
mesh_terms: D001895:Boron; D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009502:Neutrons
chemical_list: D001895:Boron