It is often believed and explained that Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) specifically destroys tumor cells which selectively accumulate boron drugs. However, in fact, BNCT causes damage and adverse events to normal tissues with low uptake of boron drugs.

The major adverse events of head and neck cancers are swelling of the salivary glands, nausea, deterioration of appetite, stomatitis, hair loss, etc. The following schematic drawing shows the frequency of typical adverse events of BNCT for head and neck cancers, and the time of onset and recovery.

Various adverse events will occur depending on the location and condition of the affected area, and therefore we will explain in detail before treatment.

Early adverse events happen after treatment

Adverse events require a longer recovery course

(Source: Hirose, Sato, Takai, et al. Profile analysis of adverse events after boron neutron capture therapy for head and neck cancer: a sub analysis of the JH N002 study. Journal of Radiation Research 2022)