153Sm-EDTMP radionuclide treatment of bony metastatic disease: a radiation protection evaluation

The aims of the study were the identification and optimization of the radiation protection measures for in-patients who underwent palliative radionuclide therapy for bone metastases with 153Sm-EDTMP activities lower than 3 GBq. The suitability of the preventive procedures from the contamination of places and objects, and for the protection of the hospital staff, other patients and relatives from the danger of external radiation and internal contamination has been evaluated by carrying out a series of measurements both of superficial contamination inside the confinement room and of the dose near the treated patients. The results show that the contamination of the places and the objects close to treated patients is really low. The greatest risk of contamination depended on the management of the physiological waste that, therefore, should be collected and disposed as radioactive one. The measurements of external radiation show that nearby the confinement room the dose limit for public is not exceeded. The same is true for the dose limit of 3 mSv established for relatives who, when taking care treated patients, receive a dose lower than 20 microSv a patient. The fulfillment of the proposed radiation protection measures assures the containment of the risk of exposure and contamination for nursing and medical staff involved in radionuclide-based therapy.