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The elemental composition of tumors: kerma data for neutrons
R L Maughan1, P J Chuba, A T Porter
1Gershenson Radiation Oncology Center, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Harper Hospital and Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA. maughanr@kci.wayne.edu
Abstract:
The elemental composition of a variety of tumor samples, including squamous cell lung carcinoma, sarcoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, melanoma, and rectal carcinoma have been measured by combustion analysis. Hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen content have been determined. Using the elemental neutron kerma data published in ICRU Report #46 the neutron kerma factors for the various tumor samples have been calculated in the energy range 11 eV to 29 MeV. The average neutron kerma values for all tumor samples are approximately 6%-7% lower than those for average soft tissue in the energy range of interest in fast neutron therapy (energies > 1 MeV).