Target diseases

★Need for cell-level treatment
The key point is how to attack cancer cells that have spread into surrounding tissue or infiltrated into critical areas, but are not visualized by imaging.

BNCT

Other treatments

Cancer cells not visualized by imaging can be targeted by using a boron-containing drug, so they can be selectively attacked.

×X-ray therapy
Extended irradiation field may result in excessive damage to normal tissue.

×Heavy particle/proton beam therapy
This therapy targets a CT-visualized tumor with local irradiation and may leave infiltrating cancer cells untreated.

×Surgery
Not feasible because removal of cancer-involved areas may cause serious functional defects.

For diseases prone to spread extensively, treatments capable of preserving normal tissue and function are preferred.

BNCT

Other treatments

Selectively attacks cancer cells while preserving normal tissue and function.

×Surgery
Difficult to perform due to extensive infiltration.

×Particle beam (heavy particle/proton beam) therapy
Difficult to apply due to extensive infiltration.

Before BNCT
Cancer cells showed such remarkable growth that they penetrated the skin out of the body and continued to grow. This patient had previously undergone surgery and therefore was not indicated for surgical removal this time. This lesion was post-radiation recurrence and therefore was not indicated for radiation therapy, including particle beam therapy.

After BNCT
BNCT was very effective in reducing cancer cells. Skin regeneration was observed. No adverse effect on vision or hearing was observed.