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Radiation risk from CT: implications for cancer screening.
1Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 97, Houston, TX 77030, USA. jalbert@mdanderson.org
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|June 25, 2013
Summary
Medical imaging, particularly computed tomography (CT) scans, poses a small risk of radiation-induced cancer. However, for high-risk individuals, the benefits of CT screening for lung and colorectal cancers often outweigh these risks.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology
- Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention
Background:
- Patient exposure to medical imaging radiation, especially from computed tomography (CT), is a growing concern.
- Increasing use of CT and its application in population-based cancer screening necessitate evaluating radiation risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review radiation carcinogenesis and assess malignancy risks from CT scans.
- To evaluate the balance between early cancer detection benefits and screening-induced malignancy risks from CT.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on radiation carcinogenesis.
- Analysis of studies evaluating malignancy risk from CT scans.
- Focus on CT for cancer screening (lung and colorectal).
Main Results:
- CT scans present a small but real risk of radiation-induced malignancy.
- This risk may become significant at the population level with widespread CT screening.
- Benefits of CT screening for lung cancer in high-risk patients and CT colonography for colorectal cancer appear to outweigh radiation risks.
Conclusions:
- CT screening for certain cancers may offer significant benefits that outweigh radiation risks.
- Continued evaluation of CT screening benefits must incorporate potential radiation risks.
- Further research is needed to refine risk-benefit assessments for CT-based cancer screening.
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