title: A13C(d,n)-based epithermal neutron source for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) requires neutron sources suitable for in-hospital siting. Low-energy particle accelerators working in conjunction with a neutron producing reaction are the most appropriate choice for this purpose. One of the possible nuclear reactions is13C(d,n)14N. The aim of this work is to evaluate the therapeutic capabilities of the neutron beam produced by this reaction, through a 30mA beam of deuterons of 1.45MeV.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Beam Shaping Assembly design was computationally optimized. Depth dose profiles in a Snyder head phantom were simulated with the MCNP code for a number of BSA configurations. In order to optimize the treatment capabilities, the BSA configuration was determined as the one that allows maximizing both the tumor dose and the penetration depth while keeping doses to healthy tissues under the tolerance limits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant doses to tumor tissues were achieved up to ∼6cm in depth. Peak doses up to 57Gy-Eq can be delivered in a fractionated scheme of 2 irradiations of approximately 1h each. In a single 1h irradiation, lower but still acceptable doses to tumor are also feasible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment capabilities obtained here are comparable to those achieved with other accelerator-based neutron sources, making of the13C(d,n)14N reaction a realistic option for producing therapeutic neutron beams through a low-energy particle accelerator.
authors.affiliation: Gerencia de Investigación y Aplicaciones, CNEA, Av. Gral. Paz 1499 (B1650KNA), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET, Av. Rivadavia 1917 (C1033AAJ), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, M. de Irigoyen 3100 (1650), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: capoulat@tandar.cnea.gov.ar.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Capoulat
authors.affiliation: Gerencia de Investigación y Aplicaciones, CNEA, Av. Gral. Paz 1499 (B1650KNA), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET, Av. Rivadavia 1917 (C1033AAJ), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, M. de Irigoyen 3100 (1650), San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kreiner
mesh_terms: D016754:Boron Neutron Capture Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009502:Neutrons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009584:Nitrogen; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: (13)C(D,N)(14)N reaction; Accelerator-based BNCT; Brain tumor treatment; Epithermal neutron sources; Monte-Carlo-simulations