Real-time dosimetry for boron neutron-capture therapy

Epithermal/thermal boron neutron-capture therapy (BNCT) is a promising treatment method for malignant tumors. Because the doses and dose rates for medical therapeutic radiation are very close to the normal tissue tolerance, small errors in radiation delivery can result in harmful overdoses. A substantial need exists for a device that will monitor, in real time, the radiation dose being delivered to a patient. Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) has developed a scintillating glass optical fiber that is sensitive to thermal neutrons. The small size of the fibers offers the possibility of in vivo dose monitoring at several points within the radiation field. The count rate of such detectors may approach 10 MHz because the lifetime of the cerium activator is fast. Fluxes typical of those in BNCT (i.e., 10/sup 9/ n/cm/sup 2//sec) may be measured with a single fiber because of this potentially high count rate and the small diameter of the fiber. >