Study of the upper energy limit of useful epithermal neutrons for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy in different tissues. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Torres-Sánchez, Pablo; Porras, Ignacio; Arias de Saavedra, Fernando; Praena, Javier
• Is Part Of: Radiation physics and chemistry. Volume 185(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) -- Epithermal neutrons -- Accelerator-based BNCT -- IAEA recommendations -- Monte Carlo simulations; Radiation chemistry -- Periodicals; Radiometry -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Periodicals; Chimie sous rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2021.109490
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0969-806X

Abstract

Abstract: In Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), the IAEA recommendations limit the epithermal range to 10 keV. Few works have shown the possibility to increase this limit. In particular, in a previous work we showed this possibility by means of simulations of the dose on a simple phantom of a 4-component ICRU tissue. This possible increment is very relevant for the future accelerator-based neutron sources for BNCT. The present work is based on more realistic MCNP6.2 simulations at neck, brain and abdomen. Several parameters and Figures of Merit have been evaluated for different beam apertures and beam divergences. The results show that neutrons above 10 keV can be useful for BNCT. The exact limit of the epithermal range depends on the location of the tumor. Highlights: An increase of the epithermal upper energy limit for epithermal neutrons for BNCT is proposed. The optimal neutron energy for BNCT is determined for different organs. The dependence of the useful neutron energy range with beam aperture and boron concentration is analyzed.