Development of an irradiation method for superficial tumours using a hydrogel bolus in an accelerator-based BNCT

Akinori Sasaki, Hiroki Tanaka, Takushi Takata, Yuki Tamari, Tsubasa Watanabe, Naonori Hu, Shinji Kawabata, Yoshihiro Kudo, Toshinori Mitsumoto, Yoshinori Sakurai, Minoru Suzuki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The aim of this study is the development of an irradiation method for the treatment of superficial tumours using a hydrogel bolus to produce thermal neutrons in accelerator-based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). To evaluate the neutron moderating ability of a hydrogel bolus, a water phantom with a hydrogel bolus was irradiated with an epithermal neutron beam from a cyclotron-based epithermal neutron source. Phantom simulating irradiation to the plantar position was manufactured using three-dimensional printing technology to perform an irradiation test of a hydrogel bolus. Thermal neutron fluxes on the surface of a phantom were evaluated and the results were compared with the Monte Carlo-based Simulation Environment for Radiotherapy Applications (SERA) treatment planning software. It was confirmed that a hydrogel bolus had the same neutron moderating ability as water, and the calculation results from SERA aligned with the measured values within approximately 5%. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the thermal neutron flux decreased at the edge of the irradiation field. It was possible to uniformly irradiate thermal neutrons by increasing the bolus thickness at the edge of the irradiation field, thereby successfully determining uniform dose distribution. An irradiation method for superficial tumours using a hydrogel bolus in the accelerator-based BNCT was established.

Original languageEnglish
Article number015015
JournalBiomedical Physics and Engineering Express
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01-2022
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biophysics
  • Bioengineering
  • Biomaterials
  • Physiology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Health Informatics

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