Current trends in cyclotrons and Radionuclide production: A comprehensive analysis in the Republic of Korea

Over the past few decades, the use of cyclotrons in medical applications has expanded significantly worldwide. This study aims to analyze the current status and trends of cyclotrons and radionuclide production in the Republic of Korea, utilizing national survey results and regulatory databases. Between 1985 and 2023, a total of 51 cyclotrons were installed in the Republic of Korea. As of now, 35 cyclotrons are operational, 14 have been shut down, and 2 have been decommissioned. The distribution of installed cyclotrons by manufacturer is as follows: GE Healthcare (18 units), IBA (8 units), Siemens/CTI (8 units), KIRAMS (8 units), Sumitomo (5 units), EBCO (1 unit), and Scanditronix AB (1 unit). Among the cyclotrons that have been shut down, 6 are non-shielded types and 8 are self-shielded types. In terms of radionuclide production, F-18 accounted for approximately 98 % of the PET radionuclides produced. Additionally, other PET radionuclides and SPECT radionuclides have been continuously produced. The establishment of Good Manufacturing Practice in 2014 led to the shutdown of several cyclotrons and a reduction in production institutes. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the updating of the IAEA database and provide valuable data for developing strategies for cyclotron decommissioning.