Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

WikiDoc Resources for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Articles
Most recent articles on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Most cited articles on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Review articles on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Articles on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Images of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Photos of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Podcasts & MP3s on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Videos on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Bandolier on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy TRIP on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Clinical Trials on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy NICE Guidance on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy CDC on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Books
Books on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
News
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy in the news Be alerted to news on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy News trends on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Commentary
Blogs on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Definitions
Definitions of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Discussion groups on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Patient Handouts on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Directions to Hospitals Treating Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Risk calculators and risk factors for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Causes & Risk Factors for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Diagnostic studies for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy Treatment of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
International
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy en Espanol Boron Neutron Capture Therapy en Francais
Business
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy in the Marketplace Patents on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is an experimental form of radiotherapy that utilizes a neutron beam that interacts with boron injected to a patient. BNCT depends on the interaction of slow neutrons with boron-10 to produce alpha particles and lithium nuclei, without producing other types of ionizing radiation. Patients are first given an intravenous injection of a boron-10 tagged chemical that preferentially binds to tumor cells. In clinical trials performed so far the neutrons are created in a nuclear reactor, but particle accelerators may also be used to collide protons into targets made of lithium or beryllium. The neutrons pass through a moderator, which shapes the neutron energy spectrum suitable for BNCT treatment. Before entering the patient the neutron beam is shaped by a beam collimator. While passing through the tissue of the patient, the neutrons are slowed by collisions and become low energy thermal neutrons. The thermal neutrons undergo reaction with the boron-10 nuclei, forming a compound nucleus (excited boron-11) which then promptly disintegrates to lithium-7 and an alpha particle. Both the alpha particle and the lithium ion produce closely spaced ionizations in the immediate vicinity of the reaction, with a range of approximately 10 micrometres, or one cell diameter. This technique is advantageous since the radiation damage occurs over a short range and thus normal tissues can be spared. BNCT has been experimentaly tested primarily as an alternative treatment for malignant brain tumors called glioblastomas. Although there are reports of some successful outcomes, this approach has not yet been shown to be superior to other current therapies. Hence, BNCT has not entered routine clinical use.

External Links

• International Society of Neutron Capture therapy
• Helsinki University Central Hospital and Technical Research Centre of Finland BNCT Project