Improvement of depth dose distribution using multiple-field irradiation in boron neutron capture therapy

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes Vol. 106; pp. 134 - 138
• Main Authors: Fujimoto, N., Tanaka, H., Sakurai, Y., Takata, T., Kondo, N., Narabayashi, M., Nakagawa, Y., Watanabe, T., Kinashi, Y., Masunaga, S., Maruhashi, A., Ono, K., Suzuki, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2015
• Subjects: BNCT; Boron Neutron Capture Therapy - methods; Dose distribution; Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Humans; Multiple-field irradiation; Radiotherapy Dosage; Multiple-field irradiation; BNCT; Dose distribution
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.07.041

It is important that improvements are made to depth dose distribution in boron neutron capture therapy, because the neutrons do not reach the innermost regions of the human body. Here, we evaluated the dose distribution obtained using multiple-field irradiation in simulation. From a dose volume histogram analysis, it was found that the mean and minimum tumor doses were increased using two-field irradiation, because of improved dose distribution for deeper-sited tumors. •We evaluated the dose distribution obtained using multiple-field irradiation in simulation.•The tumor dose distribution was found to be improved under multiple-field irradiation.•The normal tissue dose was increased under two- and three-field irradiation, because of the increased irradiation area. However, in this case, the parotid dose was less than the tolerance dose.•The total irradiation times of the two- and three-field irradiation processes were longer than that of the one-field irradiation. However, if the available neutron intensity is increased and it becomes possible for the patient position to be smoothly set between irradiation stages, two- and three-field irradiation can be applied in one intravenous infusion of boron drugs.