Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Dose Optimization for Esophageal Cancer Using Particle and Heavy Ion Transport Code System (PHITS) Ver. 3.35

Authors

  • Putri Nur Cahyani Cahyani UIN Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang
  • Mokhamad Tirono Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University of Malang
  • Yohannes Sardjono Research Center for Safety, Meteorology and Nuclear Quality Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia.
  • Isman Mulyadi Triatmoko Research Center for Safety, Metrology and Nuclear Quality Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, The National Research and Innovation Agency, Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia
  • Gede Sutrisna Research Center for Safety, Metrology and Nuclear Quality Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, The National Research and Innovation Agency, Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia
  • Fendinugroho Research Center for Safety, Metrology and Nuclear Quality Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, The National Research and Innovation Agency, Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia
  • Nunung Nuraeni Research Center for Safety, Metrology and Nuclear Quality Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, The National Research and Innovation Agency, Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia
  • Heru Prasetio Research Center for Safety, Metrology and Nuclear Quality Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, The National Research and Innovation Agency, Tangerang Selatan, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55981.tdm.2025.13333

Keywords:

BNCT, PHITS, Dosimetry, Cancer, Radiation

Abstract

Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that has a globally high incident and mortality rate. Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a promising radiation therapy method in esophageal cancer treatment due to its ability to deliver high doses selectively to tumor tissue with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissue. This study aims to optimize BNCT dose distribution, evaluate the irradiation time, and determine the most effective irradiation direction in esophageal cancer. Simulations in this study were carried out using PHITS version 3.35  to model the geometry of esophageal cancer, surrounding organs, and radiation sources used. The phantom represented an ORNL adult male with a 24,69 cm2 tumor. The neutron source came from an accelerator with a 30 MeV proton beam. The boron concentrations analyzed in the cancer tissue were 110, 125, and 140 μg/g. Irradiation from the posterior (PA) direction with a boron concentration of 140 μg/g showed the most optimal BNCT therapy results, with an irradiation time of 15.78 minutes. This technique is capable of delivering an effective dose to the cancerous tissue without exceeding the tolerance limits of the surrounding healthy organs, making it safe for use.

Author Biographies

Mokhamad Tirono, Maulana Malik Ibrahim State Islamic University of Malang

Prof. Dr. Drs. H. Mokhamad Tirono, M.Si. is a Professor of Biophysics at the Faculty of Science and Technology, State Islamic University of Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang. He was officially inaugurated on December 4, 2024, with an inaugural lecture focusing on bipolar pulsed electric stimulation for diabetic wound healing, highlighting VEGF pathways and fibroblast proliferation. He has an h-index of 11 with 506 citations. His research spans magnetic and electric field applications in plant growth, fermentation, and bacterial inactivation underscoring significant contributions to applied biophysics.

Yohannes Sardjono, Research Center for Safety, Meteorology and Nuclear Quality Technology, Research Organization for Nuclear Energy, National Research and Innovation Agency, Indonesia.

Prof. Yohannes Sardjono is a senior researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), specializing in applied nuclear physics, including Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), particle simulation, and radiation protection. He has authored over 70 publications covering neutron system design, cancer therapy dosimetry, and optimization of neutron collimators for BNCT, collaborating across multiple disciplines. Prof. Sardjono holds an h-index of 8 overall (6 since 2020), reflecting the significant influence of his research within the academic community

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Published

2026-04-01

How to Cite

Cahyani, P. N. C., Mokhamad Tirono, Yohannes Sardjono, Triatmoko, I. M., Sutrisna, G., Fendinugroho, … Prasetio, H. (2026). Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Dose Optimization for Esophageal Cancer Using Particle and Heavy Ion Transport Code System (PHITS) Ver. 3.35. Jurnal Teknologi Reaktor Nuklir Tri Dasa Mega, 27(2), 105–116. https://doi.org/10.55981.tdm.2025.13333

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 2 (2025): June 2025

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Articles