The neutron therapy reactor. A study of necessary properties and parameters

Fundamental radiobiological investigations and clinical studies have proven the expected superiority of neutron therapy for the treatment of special tumour types and/or sites. Commonly used neutron radiotherapy units are cyclotrons and D-T neutron generators. Although these facilities have certain advantages, they also have several disadvantages which compromise treatment plans. The first promising radiobiological results with fission neutrons and the increasing need for neutron irradiation capacity make it worth while to examine the applicability of existing research reactors for this purpose. On the basis of pilot studies and clinical trials the essential requirements for a neutron therapy unit are specified. Using these general aspects and realistic data an attempt is made to outline the necessary properties and parameters of a neutron therapy reactor (NTR). A first analysis shows that fission reactors should be reconsidered as neutron sources for radiation therapy. Specially designed NTRs could be operated as hospital based therapy units. (author). 5 refs