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Mortality from leukemia after irradiation in infancy for skin hemangioma
Insights
Infants treated for skin hemangioma with ionizing radiation showed no significant increase in leukemia risk. Low average bone marrow doses limited the study
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Infants treated for hemangioma often receive radiation therapy.
- Understanding long-term risks, such as leukemia, is crucial for pediatric patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ionizing radiation exposure for infantile hemangioma and the risk of developing leukemia.
- To assess potential radiation-induced cancer risks in a large cohort of infants.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 14,624 infants treated for skin hemangioma between 1920-1959 was studied.
- Bone marrow doses were estimated, with a weighted average of 0.13 Gy.
- Observed leukemia deaths (20) were compared to expected rates (17) from 1920-1986.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between childhood leukemia and radiation dose.
- The observed number of leukemia deaths was similar to the expected number.
- Low average bone marrow doses limited the power to detect small radiation risks.
Conclusions:
- Ionizing radiation therapy for infantile hemangioma in this cohort did not show a significant link to increased leukemia risk.
- Further research with higher doses or longer follow-up may be needed to fully understand radiation risks.
- The findings contribute to the risk-benefit assessment of radiation therapy in pediatric patients.
Abstract:
From 1920 through 1959, 14,624 infants were exposed to ionizing radiation for skin hemangioma at Radiumhemmet. They were all less than 18 months old (mean 6 months) at the time of first exposure. The irradiated hemangiomas were located all over the body. The weighted bone marrow dose was on average 0.13 Gy (range < 0.01-4.6 Gy). During the period 1920-1986, 20 deaths from leukemia (11 childhood and 9 adult) were observed in the cohort compared with 17 expected during the same period. There were no significant associations between childhood leukemia and radiation dose. Despite the relatively large number of infants studied, the low average dose to bone marrow limited the possibility of detecting a small radiation risk as might be predicted from other radiation studies.