Fast neutron radiotherapy: fundamental aspects and clinical results
conference paper
Renewed applications of fast neutrons for clinical radiotherapy, were initiated by fundamental radiobiological findings. Studies of the responses of normal tissues and tumour systems after irradiation with fast neutrons had shown two essential differences with the effect after X-irradiation, notably a reduced oxygen effect and a reduced repair of sublethal damage. FUrthermore wide variations in relative biological effectiveness had been observed for different tumours and normal tissues. The results of the clinical applications of fast neutrons are promising for specific tumours. However, the studies have indicated the need for coordinated clinical trials on a national and international scale. To allow a direct evaluation of clinical results obtained at the different neutron radiotherapy centers it will be essential to optimize the delivery of the dose to the target volume and to determine the energy dissipation with a sufficient degree of precision and accuracy. The need for better dose distributions and further knowledge of nuclear data, including cross sections, will be exemplified.
TNO Identifier
355553
Publisher
US Department of Commerce
Source title
Proceedings International Conference on Nuclear Cross Sections for Technology, Knoxville, 22-26 October 1979
Editor(s)
Fowler, J.L.
Johnson, C.H.
Bowman, C.D.
Johnson, C.H.
Bowman, C.D.
Place of publication
Washington
Pages
440-446
Files
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