Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Complejo boronofenilalanina-fructosa
Boronophenylalanine-fructose complex (bor-AHN-oh-feh-nul-A-luh-neen FROOK-tose KOM-plex)
A substance used in a type of radiation therapy called boron neutron capture therapy. BPA-F is injected into a vein, and becomes concentrated in tumor cells. The patient then receives radiation treatment with atomic particles called neutrons. The neutrons react with the boron in BPA-F, producing radioactive particles that kill the tumor cells without harming normal cells. Also called BPA-F.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.