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Principles and Roots of Neutron Capture Therapy

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Neutron Capture Therapy

Abstract

Boron neutron capture therapy is a binary form of radiation therapy using the high propensity of the nonradioactive nuclide boron-10 to capture thermal neutrons resulting in the prompt nuclear reaction 10B(n,α)7Li. The products of this reaction have high linear energy transfer characteristics (α particle approximately 150 keVμm−1, 7Li-nucleus approximately 175 keVμm−1). The path lengths of these particles in water or tissues are in the range of 4.5–10 μm: hence resulting an energy deposition limited to the diameter of a single cell. Theoretically, therefore, it is possible to selectively irradiate those tumor cells that have taken up a sufficient amount of 10B and simultaneously spare normal cells.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. NCTeam, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, D-45122, Essen, Germany

    Wolfgang A. G. Sauerwein

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  1. Wolfgang A. G. Sauerwein
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Zentrum für Konservative Onkologie, Klinik für Strahlentherapie, Univ.Klinikum Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen, 45122, Germany

    Wolfgang Sauerwein

  2. Philipps-University Marburg, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Marburg,, Baldingerstrasse 1, Marburg, 35043, Germany

    Andrea Wittig

  3. Joint Research Centre, Institute for Engergy, European Commission, Westerduinweg 3, LE Petten, 1755, Netherlands

    Raymond Moss

  4. , Department of Neurosurgery, Kagawa National Children's Hospital, Zentsuji-cho 2603, Zentsuji, 765-8501, Kagawa, Japan

    Yoshinobu Nakagawa

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Sauerwein, W.A.G. (2012). Principles and Roots of Neutron Capture Therapy. In: Sauerwein, W., Wittig, A., Moss, R., Nakagawa, Y. (eds) Neutron Capture Therapy. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-31334-9_1

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