Perceptions of Canadian Radiation Oncologists, Medical Physicists, and Radiation Trainees about the Feasibility and Need of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) in Canada: A National Survey

Al-Retage Al-Bader; John Agapito; Ming Pan

doi:10.3390/cancers15143626

Perceptions of Canadian Radiation Oncologists, Medical Physicists, and Radiation Trainees about the Feasibility and Need of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) in Canada: A National Survey

Cancers (Basel). 2023 Jul 14;15(14):3626. doi: 10.3390/cancers15143626.

Authors

Al-Retage Al-Bader¹, John Agapito^{2

3}, Ming Pan^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, Windsor, ON N9B 2Y9, Canada.
² Windsor Regional Hospital, 1995 Lens Ave, Windsor, ON N8W 1L9, Canada.
³ Department of Physics, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada.

Abstract

Background: Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is an emerging radiotherapy. There are ongoing efforts to develop a Canadian accelerator-based BNCT center. However, it remains unclear how Canadian radiation oncologists (RO), medical physicists (MP), and their trainees perceive BNCT and its impact on radiation oncology as a discipline.

Methods: A survey was created to explore the knowledge of BNCT, its clinical role, and the support for Canadian research. It was distributed through the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology (CARO) and the Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP).

Results: We received 118 valid responses from all 10 provinces, from 70 RO (59.3%) and 48 MP (40.7%), including 9 residents. Most knew of BNCT and its indications (60.2%). Although many were unaware of the reasons behind early failures (44.1%), common reasons were a lack of clinical trials and an inaccessibility of neutron sources (42.4%) as well as reactor unsuitability (34.7%). Additionally, 90.6% showed definite (66.9%) or possible (23.7%) support for Canadian BNCT research, while 89% indicated a definite (56.8%) or possible (32.2%) willingness for BNCT referrals.

Conclusions: Most ROs and MPs supported Canadian BNCT research and would refer patients. However, limited awareness and a lack of experiences remain a challenge. Educational sessions are needed to realize this innovative cancer treatment in Canada.

Keywords: Canada; boron neutron capture therapy; medical physics; national survey; radiation oncology.

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the University of Western Ontario’s Schulich Medicine Summer Research Training Program and Mach-Gaensslen Foundation of Canada.