Objective Worldwide there is a continuously growing interest in BNCT research in physics and medical laboratories; new hardware and prospected applications to a variety of different types of tumours are under investigation. Part of these efforts were discussed at topical meetings as the Int. Conf. on BNCT at Sidney (Dec. 1990) and at the Pavia Workshop (June 1991). The 2 recent codes, NJOY-89 for processing neutron and photon cross sections from the ENDFB VI files, and DORT-1 for 2-dimensional radiation transport calculations, were implemented on the computer and a complete revision of the previous analysis of the boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) beam was carried out. The accuracy of the new calculations is now sufficient to allow for a favourable comparison with the experimental measurements and to treat the dosimetry inside a 2-dimensional (cylindrical) phantom. Penetration of the epithermal neutron beam inside the tissue was checked and the possibility of irradiating tumours up to 8 cm below the surface was examined.The design of a new 3-dimensional computer program capable of assisting the medical staff in planning a particular BNCT was started by evaluating the possibilities offered by radiation transport methods. The problems connected with nuclear data management can be considered to be partly solved by the acquisition of the code NJOY. Other 1991 activities in support to the JRC Petten team concern the shielding of the irradiation room and the shutter efficiency. A cooperation with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) of Switzerland was started in June 1991 for analysing the design of a new BNCT installation based on an ion accelerator.Progress to end 1991 Following the plan of work established last year the JRC Ispra participated actively in the design studies of the BNCT installation at Petten in the field of neutron beam optimization and of the related aspects of radiobiology and dosimetry in phantoms and patients. In the first half of the year the two recent codes : NJOY-89 for processing neutron and photon cross sections from the ENDFB VI files and DORT-1 for 2D radiation transport calculations were implemented on the Ispra computer and a complete revision of the previous analysis of the Petten beam was carried out. The accuracy of the new calculations is now sufficient to allow for a favorable comparison with the experimental measurements and to treat the dosimetry inside a 2D (cylindrical) phantom. Penetration of the epithermal neutron beam inside the tissue was checked and the possibility of irradiating tumours up to 8 cm below the surface was examined. The design of a new 3D computer program capable of assisting the medical staff in planning a particular BNCT was started by evaluating the possibilities offered by radiation transport methods (deterministic SN codes or Monte Carlo). The problems connected with nuclear data management can be considered to be partly solved by the acquisition of NJOY. Other 1991 activities in support to the JRC Petten team concern the shielding of the irradiation room and the shutter efficiency. A cooperation with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) of Switzerland was started in June 1991 for analysing the design of a new BNCT installation based on an ion accelerator. Detailed description of work foreseen in 1992 (expected results) The objectives of the 1992 activity are mainly determined by the participation in the concerted action of the International Working group on BNCT (sponsored by the CEC). In this frame the JRC Ispra deals with epithermal neutron transport calculations in biological tissue constituting a novel challenge which has no precedence in the literature. In detail the envisaged topics are : - Predicting of the radiation dose distribution (neutrons and photons) in phantoms and patients for the different irradiation devices under construction (Petten, Pavia University, PSI). Analysis of the collateral effects to be expected by the contamination of the epithermal neutron beam with photons and high energy neutrons. - Qualification of a neutron beam for treatment of different types of malignant tissue such as brain tumour, melanoma, bone sarcoma, liver tumour - Monitoring and real time planning of a particular treatment. Short description of evolution of work in 1993 As the BNCT activity is embedded in a close collaboration with the JRC-Petten, and close contacts are maintained with the Paul Scherrer Institute of Switzerland, the Technical Research Centre of Finland and the University of Pavia, the further development of research will follow the guidelines of the International concerted action programme. Programme(s) JRC-EXPLORES 1C - Specific research programmes (EEC) to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre - Exploratory research -, 1988-1991 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator Joint Research Centre (JRC) EU contribution No data Address 21020 Ispra Italy See on map Total cost No data
