Lifetime attributable risks (LARs) of cancer in the fetus associated with maternal radiography examinations

Abstract

Purpose For various reasons, pregnant women are occasionally exposed to ionizing radiation during radiology examinations. In these situations, it is essential to determine the radiation dose to the fetus and any associated risks. The present study attempts to calculate the mean dose for the fetus to estimate the possible cancer induction and cancer mortality risks resulting from maternal radiography exams. Material and methods The GATE Monte Carlo platform and a standard voxelized pregnant phantom were employed to calculate fetal radiation dose during maternal radiography exams. The data published in Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation VII were used to convert fetal dose to lifetime attributable risks (LARs) of cancer incidence and cancer-related mortality. Results The fetal doses and LARs of cancer incidence and cancer-related mortality for the radiographs of the chest and skull were negligible. The maximum LAR values for the lateral view of the abdomen in computed and digital radiography are 5598.29 and 2238.95 per 100,000 individuals, respectively. The computed radiography of the lateral view of the abdomen revealed the highest LAR of cancer-related mortality (2074.30 deaths for every 100,000 people). Conclusion The radiation dose incurred by the fetus due to chest and skull radiographs was minimal and unlikely to cause any abnormalities in the fetus. The discernible elevation in the lifetime attributable risk associated with cancer incidence and mortality arising from lateral computed radiography examinations of the abdomen warrants careful consideration within the realm of maternal radiography examinations.