The First Main Steps for Development of BNCT Neutron Sources at the Ukrainian and Uzbek Research Reactors

Both in Ukraine and in Uzbekistan, epithermal neutron irradiation facilities for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) are under consideration, as the need for them is very large. Based on information from medical cancer treatment institutions of the total number of patients identified with cancer, about 5000 have brain tumours. The most prospective method of their treatment is BNCT. Both in Ukraine and in Uzbekistan, this method can be implemented on existing research reactors. Modification of research reactors may be a relatively straightforward and inexpensive way to develop a BNCT neutron source, especially in comparison with construction of new reactors specialized for BNCT. However, prior to any reactor modification, careful calculations need to be performed, which take into account all the peculiarities of the specific reactor systems. Based on the world experience in epithermal neutron beam development, it is very clear that the research reactors in Kyiv (Kyiv Research Reactor-KRR) and Tashkent (Tashkent Research Reactor-TRR) may be reconstructed into epithermal irradiation facilities. Selection of the most suitable materials for moderator, collimator, shielding, etc., demands carrying out calculations considering their individual characteristics. Since the KRR and TRR are the same kind of research reactors, with for example similar thermal columns, the development of a BNCT neutron source at these research reactors may be achieved in a like manner. The development plan and the first experience in this direction (using preliminary MCNP calculation results) are presented here.

BINNEY Stephen;  MOSS Raymond;  DOSIMBAEV Abdurakhim; 

GRITZAY Olena; 

2006-11-17

International Society for Neutron Capture Therapy: ISNCT

JRC35080

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC35080,