<b>Treatment with Fast Neutrons at the Midwest Institute for Neutron Therapy at Fermilab</b>
Compiled by Bruce, July 2001

My mother was diagnosed with an LMS of the Inferior Vena Cava in January, 2001, and termed inoperable by MD Anderson within 6 months [after 3 different visits for tests and 1 other surgery in Florida.]  She was accepted for treatment at the Fermilab in Elgin, Ill for her inoperable LMS of the IVC.  Medicare approved the treatment for payment, also the staff were very helpful to get us through this process.

As of November 06, 2002   My mother is 14 months after Fermi. Scans are clear except for the expected "dead" mass per Fermi.  Blood work is fine and the liver is clear.  She is doing great, she is back in FL for the winter... it is along way from her surgeon & oncologist giving her 2-3months in January of 2001 after what became an exploratory surgery, and MDAnderson telling her she was inoperable in April of 2001.   [It is now 2003, and Bruce's is still going strong. doctordee]

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<b>From Their Website http://www-bd.fnal.gov/ntf/cancer_types/sarcoma.html  </b>

"Sarcoma -- Osteosarcoma -- Chondrosarcoma 

Treatment with Neutrons at the Midwest Institute for Neutron Therapy at Fermilab" 

"Clinical trials were conducted at Fermilab for ten years to determine which cancers could be well treated by fast neutron therapy. The types of cancer studied were those which are classified as "radioresistant," that is, tumors which resist treatment by low LET radiation such as photons, electrons or protons." ... 

"Soft tissue sarcomas well treated by fast neutrons include: ... leiomyosarcoma. Fast neutrons are used for treating bone sarcomas." ...

"In general, fast neutrons can control very large tumors, because unlike low LET radiation, neutrons do not depend on the presence of oxygen to kill the tumor. In addition, the biological effectiveness of neutrons is not affected by the growth stage of tumor cells, as it is with low LET radiation." 
"It often happens that large tumors have metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body before the patient seeks treatment. In these cases neutrons can be used to control the tumor itself but chemotherapy must also be used to limit the spread of the cancer through the rest of the body."

http://www-bd.fnal.gov/ntf/protocols/protocols.html  

"Sarcomas are known to be resistant to treatment with conventional radiation therapy. Hence, the treatment of choice for inoperable sarcomas is fast neutron therapy. The following excerpts are taken from a report published by the International Atomic Energy Agency." 

"Soft Tissue Sarcoma "A review of the results reported from the different centers indicates an overall local control rate after neutron therapy of 53 % for inoperable soft tissue sarcomas. This value is higher than the 38 % local control rate currently observed after low-LET radiation for similar patient series." -- "Nuclear Data for Neutron Therapy - Status and Future Needs", IAEA-TECDOC-992, ISSN 1011-4289, (c) IAEA, 1997, page 16 "

"Sarcoma in Bone "As far as primary bone tumors are concerned, conventional radiotherapy generally fails to control bulky tumors, as appropriate doses inevitably induce osteoradionecrosis. The low neutron kerma in bone reduces the absorbed dose by 25 % or more to cells in osseous cavities and allows application of an adequate dose with a reduced probably of late normal bone injury."" 

"Conclusion "In conclusion, fast neutrons (and high LET radiation) may be considered the best radiation quality for differentiated, slowly growing, soft tissue sarcomas, especially locally extended inoperable or recurrent tumors. A similar conclusion may apply to osteosarcomas and chondrosarcomas."" 

"The basic effect of ionizing radiation is to destroy the ability of cells to divide and grow by damaging their DNA strands. For photon, electron and proton radiation the damage is done primarily by activated radicals produced from atomic interactions. These types of radiation are called low linear-energy-transfer (low LET) radiation. With neutron radiation the damage is done primarily by nuclear interactions. Neutrons are high linear-energy-transfer (high LET) radiation. If a tumor cell is damaged by low LET radiation it has a good chance to repair itself and continue to grow. With high LET radiation such as neutron radiation, the chance for a damaged tumor cell to repair itself is very small." 

"Because the biological effectiveness of neutrons is so high, the required tumor dose is about one-third the dose required with photons, electrons or protons. A full course of neutron therapy is delivered in only 10 to 12 treatments, compared to 30 - 40 treatments needed for low LET radiation. "

Midwest Institute for Neutron Therapy at Fermilab operated by Provena Saint Joseph Hospital, Elgin, Il 

<b>For information about referral or for further information 
please call the Fermilab Neutron Therapy Facility staff at: (630)840-3865, Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. CDT. 
or E-Mail: Madeline Hatcher R.N.,B.S. at mhatcher@fnal.gov. 
or write: Midwest Institute for Neutron Therapy at Fermilab P.O. Box 5004, MS 301 Batavia, Il 60510-0500 
or Phone: (630) 840-3865 Fax : (630) 840-8766 
http://www-bd.fnal.gov/ntf/neutrons_against_cancer/NAC_index.html </b>
Prayers to you in your search.
Bruce 


