Neutron capture therapy (NCT) is based on the ability of the non-radioactive isotope boron-10 to capture thermal neutrons with very high probability and immediately to release heavy particles with a path length of one cell diameter, which in principle allows for tumor cell-selective high-LET particle radiotherapy. This book provides a comprehensive summary of the progress made in NCT in recent years. Individual sections cover all important aspects, including neutron sources, boron chemistry, drugs for NCT, dosimetry, and radiation biology. The use of NCT in a variety of malignancies and also some non-malignant diseases is extensively discussed. NCT is clearly shown to be a promising modality at the threshold of wider clinical application. All of the chapters are written by experienced specialists in language that will be readily understood by all participating disciplines.

Part I: Neutron sources: Fission Reactor Based Irradiation Facilities for Neutron Capture Therapy

Accelerator-Based BNCT
Compact Neutron Generator for BNCT
Californium-252 as a neutron source for BNCT
Part II: Boron: Boron Chemistry
New Candidates for Boron Carriers in BNCT
Drugs for BNCT (BSH and BPA)
Part III: Analysis and Imaging: Boron analysis and Boron Imaging
Proteomic investigations for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy
Analysis and Imaging: PET
Localized quantitative detection and imaging of Boron by Magnetic Resonance
Part IV: Physics: Boron Neutron Capture Therapy: Application of Radiobiological Principles
Tolerance of Healthy Tissues and Ideal Radiation Dose on BNCT
Part VI: Clinical Applications: Clinical trials in BNCT - a challenging task
External beam BNCT for Glioblastoma mulitforme
Clinical results of sodium borocaptate (BSH)-based intra-operative boron neutron capture therapy (IO-BNCT)
Boron neutron capture therapy for malignant meningiomas
Feasibility for intramedullary spinal glioma
BNCT for Advanced or Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer
Studies on the possible application of BNCT to thyroid cancer
Malignant Melanoma
Application of Neutron Capture Therapy for Local Recurrenced Breast Cancer
Recurrent breast cancers & inflammatory breast cancers
Liver Metastases
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for Children with Malignant Brain Tumors
Part VII: Non malignant diseases: Prevention of vascular restenosis after vascular angioplasty.-Boron Neutron Capture Synovectomy
Managerial Aspects of BNCT at a nuclear research reactor.