Calculation of neutron flux distributions in BNCT using removal-diffusion theory

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:75839

Niemkiewicz, J; Blue, T E; Gupta, N

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is under investigation as a treatment modality for brain tumors. Successful routine use of BNCT will require a knowledge of the radiation dose distribution in a patient`s head prior to treatment. This will allow optimization of the treatment to fit the needs of individual patients. Determination of the dose distribution begins with calculation of the neutron flux distribution in the head. Most efforts to date have relied on Monte Carlo or discrete ordinates techniques to calculate this flux distribution. Use of removal-diffusion theory has the advantage of a relatively short computer time to complete a calculation. Previous work by our group has shown good agreement between neutron flux distributions calculated using removal-diffusion theory and Monte Carlo methods for parallel incident neutrons and a rectangular parallelepiped water phantom. This work compares neutron flux distributions calculated using removal-diffusion theory and Monte Carlo methods for a homogeneous ellipsoidal water phantom that models the human head.

• OSTI ID: 75839
• Report Number(s): CONF-940602--
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 70; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
DIFFUSION
HEAD
MONTE CARLO METHOD
NEOPLASMS
NEUTRON CAPTURE THERAPY
NEUTRON DOSIMETRY
NEUTRON FLUX
SIMULATION