title: An accelerator-based epithermal neutron beam design for BNCT and dosimetric evaluation using a voxel head phantom.
abstract: The beam shaping assembly design has been investigated in order to improve the epithermal neutron beam for accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy in intensity and quality, and dosimetric evaluation for the beams has been performed using both mathematical and voxel head phantoms with MCNP runs. The neutron source was assumed to be produced from a conventional 2.5 MeV proton accelerator with a thick (7)Li target. The results indicate that it is possible to enhance epithermal neutron flux remarkably as well as to embody a good spectrum shaping to epithermal neutrons only with the proper combination of moderator and reflector. It is also found that a larger number of thermal neutrons can reach deeply into the brain and, therefore, can reduce considerably the treatment time for brain tumours. Consequently, the epithermal neutron beams designed in this study can treat more effectively deep-seated brain tumours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Engineering, Hanyang University, 17 Haengdang, Seongdong, Seoul 133-791, Korea. unfixed@nural.hanyang.ac.kr
authors.forename: Deok-jae
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chi Young
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Sung Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jong Kyung
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D001822:Body Burden; D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006257:Head / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D009502:Neutrons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009688:Nuclear Reactors; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity