We introduce a fast and well-structured package for constructing voxel-based computational phantoms as MCNP(X) input file based on CT DICOM images. Our program which has been implemented under a graphic user inter-face provides several basic image processing tools for manipulating images. The MCNP materials are interpreted from the CT numbers of DICOM images. Two modes of phantom creation have ...

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a radiation treatment for cancer that uses charged particles from the B(n, α) Li reaction. The dose from the resulting alpha particles and Li nuclei is called the boron dose, and is the primary dose delivered to tumor cells. Dose to the tumor and surrounding cells during neutron beam irradiation comes not only from the boron dose, but also from dose resul...

One of the radiotherapy has boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). They may make it easier to kill tumor cells with BNCT. In BNCT, it is important for boron agents, which have high selectively and high accumulation, to be introduced into tumor cells. To date, the main boron compounds used by the clinical study are sodium mercaptododecaborate (BSH) and pboronophenylalanine (BPA). But, there are n...

The exact intracellular localization and distribution of molecules and elements becomes increasingly important for the development of targeted therapies and contrast agents. We show that laser postionization secondary neutral mass spectrometry (laser-SNMS) is well suited to localize particular elements and small molecules with subcellular spatial resolution applying the technique exemplary to B...

The absorbed doses deposited by boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) can be categorized into four components: α and (7)Li particles from the (10)B(n, α)(7)Li reaction, 0.54-MeV protons from the (14)N(n, p)(14)C reaction, the recoiled protons from the (1)H(n, n) (1)H reaction, and photons from the neutron beam and (1)H(n, γ)(2)H reaction. For evaluating the irradiation effect in tumors and the s...

Herein we propose and validate the hamster cheek pouch model of oral cancer for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) studies. This model serves to explore new applications of the technique, study the biology and radiobiology of BNCT, and assess the uptake of boron compounds and response of tumor, precancerous tissue, and clinically relevant normal tissues. These issues are central to evaluating...

Since 1990, Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) has been used for over 400 cancer patients at the Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute (KURRI). After BNCT, the patients are radioactive and their (24)Na and (38)Cl levels can be detected via a Na-I scintillation counter. This activity is predominantly due to (24)Na, which has a half-life of 14.96 h and thus remains in the body for extende...

BACKGROUND We investigated the application of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) to suitable cancers other than glioblastoma and melanoma. Head and neck malignancies were consequently selected as adaptable cancers. We reported the clinical results of our first case treated and discussed several advantages to the application of BNCT to head and neck tumors. METHODS The patient was a 48-year-...