Abstract A42: Prenatal role of medical radiation in children diagnosed with a blood cancer: Single-institution study, 2006-2016

Abstract

Abstract Background: Prenatal exposure to medical radiation is an identified risk for childhood cancers, but is difficult to document. The author developed a family questionnaire and interview form to identify possible exposures in children diagnosed from 2006-2016 with a blood cancer at a single institution. The Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh historically in this ten-year period has seen 180-200 new cases of a pediatric cancer each year with approximately 35-40% of these cancers being a blood cancer, notably an acute leukemia, chronic leukemia, Hodgkins's lymphoma, or a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Method: Each converted family (approximately 30% of the cohort) has been interviewed at hospital, clinic, or through phone conversation who were diagnosed with a type of acute or chronic leukemia or lymphoma. All children were diagnosed/treated at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP). CHP is the tristate regional referral center which sees about 180-200 new cases of a pediatric cancer each year. Medical staff and psychosocial staff referred patient families for interview with the author. Results: Among the families interviewed, at least one medical radiation prenatally has been identified in over one-third of families. These exposures prominently included sinus, chest or abdominal x-rays, or CT in either patient. Conclusion: Exposures to medical radiation for a child later diagnosed with cancer may occur pre-conception, in utero, or in early childhood. These exposures may be part of the “perfect storm” which eventually results in a blood or other cancer in children. Documenting these exposures may possibly in future lead to more preventive measures pre-conception similar to the “image gently” initiative to limit the number of diagnostic procedures and radiation doses in CT imaging of children today. Citation Format: Robin L. Rohrer. Prenatal role of medical radiation in children diagnosed with a blood cancer: Single-institution study, 2006-2016 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR International Conference held in cooperation with the Latin American Cooperative Oncology Group (LACOG) on Translational Cancer Medicine; May 4-6, 2017; São Paulo, Brazil. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2018;24(1_Suppl):Abstract nr A42.