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Fetal dose evaluation during breast cancer radiotherapy
C Antypas1, P Sandilos, J Kouvaris
1Department of Radiology, Medical School, University of Athens, Areteion Hospital, Greece.
Summary
Fetal radiation dose from breast cancer treatment was estimated to be 3.9 cGy. This low dose, during early pregnancy, poses no expected deterministic effects and minimal cancer risk.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiation Oncology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Estimating fetal radiation dose is crucial for pregnant patients undergoing cancer treatment.
- Breast cancer treatment during pregnancy necessitates careful dose assessment to minimize risks.
Observation:
- A pregnant patient received 46 Gy radiation for breast cancer between weeks 2 and 6 of gestation.
- Fetal dose was measured using in vivo and phantom techniques with thermoluminescence dosimeters and ionization chambers.
Findings:
- Thermoluminescence dosimeter measurements indicated a cumulative fetal dose of 3.9 cGy (0.085% of tumor dose).
- Ionization chamber measurements yielded slightly lower fetal doses, ranging from 3.6 to 3.8 cGy.
- The low fetal dose is attributed to early gestation, distance from the radiation field, and absence of wedges/lead blocks.
Implications:
- The estimated fetal dose is unlikely to cause deterministic radiation effects in the embryo.
- While the lifetime risk of fatal cancer is slightly increased, it is considered inconsequential.
- This study provides valuable data for managing radiation therapy in pregnant breast cancer patients.