RBE values for neutron therapy: a simple method for converting acceptable photon dose to limiting neutron dose

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0360-3016(81)90373-4· OSTI ID:6454263

Halnan, K E; Hornsey, S

The general clinical use of an RBE of 3 for neutrons is shown to be not only incorrect but also dangerous. RBE is dependent on the dose/fraction of either photons or neutrons and differs for different tissues. It is particularly high for the CNS at the doses/fraction used in therapy. Data from neutron therapy trials are used to illustrate the dangers of using an RBE of 3 regardless of dose/fraction or tissue and to compare the estimated tolerance level for spinal cord with clinical findings. It is suggested that for clinical use RBE should normally be plotted against photon dose/fraction. Neutron tolerance can then be determined directly from the total dose in an acceptable photon schedule by using the RBE at the photon dose/fraction used in the photon schedule. The RBE for the CNS is contrasted with that for skin damage; at a photon dose/fraction of 180 rad, the RBE for the CNS is about 5.3, compared with about 4.3 for skin damage. The estimate of tolerance to the cervical cord is 850 rad neutrons.

• Research Organization: Hammersmith Hospital, London, England
• OSTI ID: 6454263
• Journal Information: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Int. J. Radiat. Oncol., Biol. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 7:5; ISSN IOBPD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BARYONS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BODY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
COBALT 60
COBALT ISOTOPES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FAST NEUTRONS
FERMIONS
GAMMA RADIATION
HADRONS
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
INTERNAL CONVERSION RADIOISOTOPES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MEDICINE
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
NUCLEI
NUCLEONS
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
ORGANS
PHOTONS
RADIATIONS
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIOLOGY
RADIOSENSITIVITY
RADIOTHERAPY
RBE
SIDE EFFECTS
SKIN
SPINAL CORD
THERAPY
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES