title: Structure and dosimetric analysis of biodegradable glasses for prostate cancer treatment.
abstract: This work analyzes SiO2 and SiO2-CaO glasses incorporated with samarium atoms produced by sol-gel synthesis. The goal is to provide biocompatible and biodegradable radioactive seeds as an alternative to be used in brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. The chemical and physical characteristics of the obtained glasses were analyzed by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, He picnometry, and nitrogen adsorption analysis. A theoretical analysis of the process of neutron activation of the samples was also conducted through the calculation of the activity of the seeds and the beta- and gamma-ray doses emitted by the seeds. The results demonstrate the incorporation of samarium atoms in the glass matrix. The experimental data coupled with the theoretical studies in neutron activation suggest that it is possible to obtain radioactive seeds with activities equivalent to 125I seeds used in prostatic brachytherapy.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Engineering Center, CEFET/MG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
authors.forename: Wanderley S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Roberto
authors.forename: Marivalda M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Tarcísio P R
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Campos
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005782:Gels; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005782:Gels; C588181:SiO2-CaO glass; D012822:Silicon Dioxide