Dermatologic Radiotherapy and Breast Cancer. Dose Measurements and Risk Quantification

Overview

Journal Arch Dermatol Res

Specialty Dermatology

Date 1982 Jan 1

PMID 6219629

Authors

H Goldschmidt

R O Gorson

M Lassen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

This study was set up to provide quantitative data to evaluate unsubstantiated claims that improper dermatologic radiation techniques may cause breast cancer. A thin mylar window ionization rate meter placed at the location of the right breast of an Alderson-RANDO anthropomorphic phantom was used to measure direct and scatter radiation reaching the female breast during radiotherapy of the facial region (as given for acne). The results indicate that scatter doses are very small; they are influenced by radiation quality and the use or nonuse of a treatment cone. Quantitative risk estimates show that the very small risk of breast cancer induction can be reduced even further by the use of proper radiation protection measures.

References

Simon N . Breast cancer induced by radiation. Relation to mammography and treatment of acne. JAMA. 1977; 237(8):789-90. View

Myrden J, Hiltz J . Breast cancer following multiple fluoroscopies during artificial pneumothorax treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. Can Med Assoc J. 1969; 100(22):1032-4. PMC: 1946008. View

Delarue N, Gale G, Ronald A . Multiple fluoroscopy of the chest: carcinogenicity for the female breast and implications for breast cancer screening programs. Can Med Assoc J. 1975; 112(12):1405-13. PMC: 1956229. View

Goldschmidt H . Dermatologic radiotherapy and thyroid cancer. Arch Dermatol. 1977; 113(3):362-4. View

Goldschmidt H, Sherwin W . Reactions to ionizing radiation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1980; 3(6):551-79. DOI: 10.1016/s0190-9622(80)80067-3. View

Mettler Jr F, HEMPELMANN L, DUTTON A, Pifer J, TOYOOKA E, AMES W . Breast neoplasms in women treated with x rays for acute postpartum mastitis. A pilot study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1969; 43(4):803-11. View

SULZBERGER M, Baer R, BOROTA A . Do roentgen-ray treatments as given by skin specialists produce cancers or other sequelae?. AMA Arch Derm Syphilol. 1952; 65(6):639-55. DOI: 10.1001/archderm.1952.01530250003001. View

Kalisher L, Greenes R . Radiation and breast cancer. JAMA. 1977; 238(7):579-80. View

POCHIN E . The acceptance of risk. Br Med Bull. 1975; 31(3):184-90. DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a071283. View

10.

BAILAR 3rd J . Mammography: a contrary view. Ann Intern Med. 1976; 84(1):77-84. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-84-1-77. View

11.

IDSOE O, Guthe T, WILLCOX R, de Weck A . Nature and extent of penicillin side-reactions, with particular reference to fatalities from anaphylactic shock. Bull World Health Organ. 1968; 38(2):159-88. PMC: 2554321. View

12.

Pochin E . Estimates of industrial and other risks. J R Coll Physicians Lond. 1978; 12(3):210-8. PMC: 5366695. View

13.

Schwartz R, Burgess G, Milgrom H . Breast carcinoma and basal cell epithelioma after x-ray therapy for hirsutism. Cancer. 1979; 44(5):1601-5. DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(197911)44:5<1601::aid-cncr2820440510>3.0.co;2-8. View

14.

TROUT E, GAGER R . Physical characteristics of soft roentgen rays. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther. 1949; 62(1):91-112. View

15.

Hammerstein G, Miller D, White D, Masterson M, WOODARD H, Laughlin J . Absorbed radiation dose in mammography. Radiology. 1979; 130(2):485-91. DOI: 10.1148/130.2.485. View

16.

Goldschmidt H, Gorson R, Lassen M . Dermatologic radiotherapy and thyroid cancer. Dose measurements and risk quantification. Arch Dermatol. 1983; 119(5):383-90. View

17.

Wanebo C, Johnson K, Sato K, Thorslund T . Breast cancer after exposure to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. N Engl J Med. 1968; 279(13):667-71. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM196809262791301. View

18.

Petratos M, GRISEWOOD E, WINGATE C . Measurement of scattered radiation to body areas during radiotherapy of basal-cell epitheliomas. Dermatol Int. 1969; 8(1):10-3. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4362.1969.tb05321.x. View