Alkylphosphocholine analogs incorporating a chelating moiety that is chelated to gadolinium are disclosed herein. The alkylphophocholine analogs are compounds having the formula: (I) or a salt therof. R1 includes a chelating agent that is chelated to a gadolinium atom a is 0 or 1 n is an integer from 12 to 30 m is 0 or 1 Y is -H, -OH, -COOH, -COOX, -OCOX, or -OX, wherein X is an alkyl or an arylalkyl R2 is -N+H3, -N+H2Z, -N+HZ2, or -N+Z3, wherein each Z is independently an alkyl or an aroalkyl and b is 1 or 2. The compounds can be used to detect solid tumors or to treat solid tumors. In detection/imaging applications, the gadolinium emits signals that are detectable using magnetic resonance imaging. In therapeutic treatment, the gadolinium emits tumor-targeting charged particles when exposed to epithermal neutrons.
