Development of high-activity 252Cf sources for neutron brachytherapy

The Gershenson Radiation Oncology Center of Wayne State University (WSU), Detroit, Michigan, is using 252Cf medical sources for neutron brachytherapy. These sources are based on a 20-year-old design containing ≤ 30 microg 252Cf in the form of a cermet wire of Cf2O3 in a palladium matrix. The Radiochemical Engineering Development Center (REDC) of Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been asked to develop tiny high-activity 252Cf neutron sources for use with remote afterloading equipment to reduce treatment times and dose to clinical personnel and to expedite treatment of brain and other tumors. To date, the REDC has demonstrated that 252Cf loadings can be greatly increased in cermet wires much smaller than before. Equipment designed for hot cell fabrication of these wires is being tested. A parallel program is under way to relicense the existing source design for fabrication at the REDC