Evaluation of patient activation and dosimetry after Boron Neutron Capture Therapy

TL;DR

This study assesses radiation protection concerns related to patient activation and dosimetry in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, focusing on organ activation, excretion, and regulatory implications for a new Italian BNCT facility.

Contribution

It introduces a criterion for evaluating patient organ activation relevance post-BNCT and analyzes regulatory safety margins within the Italian context.

Findings

Patient organ activation levels are within safe limits shortly after BNCT.

Excretion activation impacts building design and discharge processes.

Current regulations indicate no significant radiological concern for patients.

Abstract

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a form of radiotherapy based on the irradiation of the tumour with a low energy neutron beam, after the administration of a selective drug enriched in boron-10. The therapy exploits the high cross section of thermal neutron capture in boron, generating two low-range charged particles. The availability of accelerators able to generate high-intensity neutron beams via proton nuclear interaction is boosting the construction of new clinical centres. One of these is under development in Italy, using a 5 MeV, 30 mA proton radiofrequency accelerator coupled to a beryllium target, funded by the Complementary Plan to the Recovery and Resilience National Plan, under the project ANTHEM. The present study focuses on radiation protection aspects of patients undergoing BNCT, specifically on the activation of their organs and tissues. A criterion to establish the relevance of such activation after BNCT has been proposed. Based on the current Italian regulatory framework, the level of patient activation following BNCT treatment does not pose a significant radiological concern, even shortly after irradiation. Another aspect is the activation of patient's excretions, which can impact on the design of the building and requires a process for the discharge. The described study contributes to the radiation protection study for the ANTHEM BNCT centre in Italy.