[Boron-neutron capture therapy in brain tumors and other cancers--a radiosurgery]

If a certain means enables a selective loading of tumor cells with a stable isotope of boron-10, the tumor tissue can be selectively destroyed when the tumor-containing organ is exposed to slow neutron beams as the result of intracellular heavy particle radiations which arise from boron-10 atoms in the neutron capture reactions. An early clinical trial in the U.S.A. was discontinued after the 1953-1961 series, but the clinical trial resumed in Japan in 1968 has so far treated almost 90 patients with malignant brain tumors. The longest surviving patient has lived 16 years, and two others have lived 10 years. A median survival of 2 years was obtained with 12 patients with grade III - IV gliomas which had been within 6 cm from the cortical surface. This success has caused a reassessment of this therapy throughout the world, and there is an internationally concerted effort is going on in most countries with advanced technology. Application of this therapy to other incurable cancers, such as those of the liver, pancreas, skin and even of the bone-marrow is being sought.