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Structure and Dosimetric Analysis of Biodegradable Glasses for Prostate Cancer Treatment
Author(s) -
Roberto Wanderley S.,
Pereira Marivalda M.,
Campos Tarcísio P.R.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
artificial organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1525-1594
pISSN - 0160-564X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1525-1594.2003.07253.x
Subject(s) - samarium , brachytherapy , radiochemistry , neutron activation analysis , materials science , prostate cancer , gamma ray , nuclear chemistry , biocompatible material , adsorption , neutron activation , chemistry , neutron , biomedical engineering , cancer , radiation therapy , medicine , inorganic chemistry , nuclear physics , radiology , physics
This work analyzes SiO 2 and SiO 2 ‐CaO glasses incorporated with samarium atoms produced by sol‐gel synthesis. The goal is to provide biocompatible and biodegradable radioactive seeds as an alternative to be used in brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. The chemical and physical characteristics of the obtained glasses were analyzed by energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction, He picnometry, and nitrogen adsorption analysis. A theoretical analysis of the process of neutron activation of the samples was also conducted through the calculation of the activity of the seeds and the beta‐ and gamma‐ray doses emitted by the seeds. The results demonstrate the incorporation of samarium atoms in the glass matrix. The experimental data coupled with the theoretical studies in neutron activation suggest that it is possible to obtain radioactive seeds with activities equivalent to 125 I seeds used in prostatic brachytherapy.