Treatment Availabillity
BNCT is available for patients who participate in clinical trials, (see Clinical Trials Section) and now, it is also commercially available for selected patients, as described below.
BNCT may be considered for patients outside clinical trials
- who have primary glioblastoma; glioblastoma or anaplastic astrocytoma that has recurred following conventional treatment; or head and neck cancer that has recurred locoregionally following conventional treatment
- whose general condition is good or moderate (WHO performance status is 2 or less)
- whose tumor size and tumor site are compatible with BNCT (this will be assessed by doctors who are specialized in the BNCT treatment planning)
- who have no effective standard treatment options available.
BNCT takes place at the Otaniemi BNCT facility operated by Boneca Corporation (located in Espoo, approximately 6 km from the Helsinki University Central Hospital), and patient care at the Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Central Hospital (Haartmaninkatu 4, FIN-00029, Helsinki, Finland). BNCT is given jointly by the Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Central Hospital and Boneca Corporation. Neutron radiation is provided by the research nuclear reactor of ´VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.
Patient Referral
We require a referral letter signed by a cancer specialist. The referral letter should contain:
- age and gender of the patient
- a short disease history
- histological diagnosis of cancer
- treatments given (date and type of surgery, the total dose and fractionation of radiotherapy given, chemotherapy regimen and the number of cycles given, the date of the last chemotherapy dose)
- the WHO performance status
- major concurrent diseases and allergies
- current medication
- data on metal implants, cardiac pacemakers etc. that might interfere with MRI
A radiation oncologist with experience on BNCT and competing treatment options will assess the eligibility of the patient for BNCT.
In case BNCT is considered potentially beneficial, a proposal for the treatment schedule and a treatment agreement form will be sent to the referring doctor including a price estimation which includes the costs of the hospital stay, the blood tests, MRI examination, BNCT treatment planning, and the BNCT procedure (boron infusion, blood boron concentration analyses, and the neutron irradiation). Unexpected costs (e.g. unexpected adverse events that require hospital stay for longer than 3 days) will be added to the price.
An advance payment is needed before the treatment. If BNCT is not given, the payment will be refunded, expect for the costs that have incurred from pre-treatment tests and visits.
For further information or requests: info@boneca.fi
