Neutron therapy program at the national accelerator centre, South Africa: Preliminary results

Neutron therapy with a p(66)/Be isocentric beam started at the National Accelerator Centre (NAC) in September 1988 and proton therapy with a 200 MeV horizontal beam started in September 1993. A total of 608 patients have been treated in the neutron therapy program and the preliminary results show: 1) no statistical differences in survival and disease-free probability between 60Co, neutron therapy, and accelerated neutron therapy for head and neck cance; 2) 1- and 2-year complete response rates of 63% and 51% and survival probabilities of 90% and 73%, respectively, for advanced salivary gland tumours; 3) complete response rates of 67% for macroscopic residual soft tissue sarcomas, 60% for irresectable tumours of less than 10 cm in diameter, and 0% for tumours of more than 10 cm in diamete; 4) local control rates of 64% and 76% for advanced breast carcinomas treated with 17 and 19 Gy, respectively; 5) complete response rate of 50% for macroscopic residual uterine sarcomas; and 6) complete response rates of 45% for advanced maxillary antral carcinomas, 33% for irresectable osteosarcomas, and 38% for chondrosarcomas. With the constant patient accrual and reliable operation of the therapy facilities the NAC could play a major role in defining the future of high-energy neutrons in radiation treatment. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.