The Monte Carlo Simulation of the Biological Effect of the 10 B(n,α) 7 Li Reaction in Cells and Tissue and Its Implication for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

1987 ◽  
Vol 111 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Detlef Gabel ◽  
Sheila Foster ◽  
Ralph G. Fairchild
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy ◽  
Neutron Capture ◽  
Biological Effect ◽  
Neutron Capture Therapy ◽  
Boron Neutron Capture ◽  
In Cells

scholarly journals Microdosimetric quantities of an accelerator-based neutron source used for boron neutron capture therapy measured using a gas-filled proportional counter

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naonori Hu ◽  
Hiroki Tanaka ◽  
Takushi Takata ◽  
Keita Okazaki ◽  
Ryohei Uchida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Neutron Source ◽  
Response Function ◽  
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy ◽  
Proportional Counter ◽  
Neutron Capture ◽  
Neutron Capture Therapy ◽  
Boron Neutron Capture ◽  
Single Response

Abstract Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is an emerging radiation treatment modality, exhibiting the potential to selectively destroy cancer cells. Currently, BNCT is conducted using a nuclear reactor. However, the future trend is to move toward an accelerator-based system for use in hospital environments. A typical BNCT radiation field has several different types of radiation. The beam quality should be quantified to accurately determine the dose to be delivered to the target. This study utilized a tissue equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) to measure microdosimetric and macrodosimetric quantities of an accelerator-based neutron source. The micro- and macro-dosimetric quantities measured with the TEPC were compared with those obtained via the the particle and heavy ion transport code system (PHITS) Monte Carlo simulation. The absorbed dose from events >20 keV/μm measured free in air for a 1-h irradiation was calculated as 1.31 ± 0.02 Gy. The simulated result was 1.41 ± 0.07 Gy. The measured and calculated values exhibit good agreement. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) that was evaluated from the measured microdosimetric spectrum was calculated as 3.7 ± 0.02, similar to the simulated value of 3.8 ± 0.1. These results showed the PHITS Monte Carlo simulation can simulate both micro- and macro-dosimetric quantities accurately. The RBE was calculated using a single-response function, and the results were compared with those of several other institutes that used a similar method. However, care must be taken when using such a single-response function for clinical application, as it is only valid for low doses. For clinical dose ranges (i.e., high doses), multievent distribution inside the target needs to be considered.

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