Dose analysis of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) on head cancer using PHITS code with neutron source from accelerator

Abstract

The dose analysis of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) on head cancer using the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport Code System (PHITS) has been carried out. The purpose of this study was determine the rate of dose received and the irradiation time required for head cancer therapy using the BNCT method. The research was conducted through a simulation approach. The PHITS code was used to design an epithermal neutron source derived from accelerator and to define the geometric dimensions of the head tissue components. The head model is based on Snyder’s head model with cancer cells located in the center of the brain at a depth of 3.8 cm. The investigation of the dose distribution on the head included skin, skull, brain and cancer sections consisting of Planning Target Volume (PTV), Clinical Target Volume (CTV) and Gross Tumor Volume (GTV). Simulations were carried out at boron concentrations of 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 μg/g tissue. Based on the simulation results, the greater the boron concentration, the greater the resulting dose rate. The highest dose rate was obtained in the GTV area of 6.37 x 10-2 Gy/s using a boron concentration of 80 μg/g tissue. The effective time for cancer therapy was calculated based on the highest dose rate obtained at 13,08 minutes.