Heavy ion radiotherapy during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a safe particle therapy treatment for a pregnant woman with skull-base cancer.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
University clinic.


METHODS
A 27-year-old woman diagnosed for a skull-base chordoma and whose pregnancy was found during the course of radiotherapy with accelerated carbon ions.


METHODS
Therapy was continued as scheduled, and fetal dose produced by photons and neutrons was measured at each radiotherapy fraction using passive and active monitors.


METHODS
Radiation dose to the uterus. Health of the mother and the newborn.


RESULTS
Total dose to the uterus was <0.2 mSv. About 30% of this dose was caused by neutrons. Magnetic resonance imaging of the skull base showed no evidence of recurrent disease in the mother. The child was healthy with normal development.


CONCLUSIONS
Heavy ion cancer therapy produces a very low dose in distal organs.
Münter
Marc W
MW
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Wengenroth
Marc
M
Fehrenbacher
Georg
G
Schardt
Dieter
D
Nikoghosyan
Anna
A
Durante
Marco
M
Debus
Jürgen
J
D000328:Adult; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002817:Chordoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D063193:Heavy Ion Radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011874:Radiometry; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes