title: Radiation hazards in pregnancy and methods of prevention.
abstract: The incidence of malignancy in pregnancy is low and most commonly occurs in breast, gynaecological, skin and haematological sites. The management of pregnant cancer patients is complex requiring a multidisciplinary approach to ensure the welfare of both mother and baby. Foetal radiation exposure, both diagnostic and therapeutic, must be kept to a minimum. Following the description of the deterministic and stochastic effects of foetal radiation exposure doses, radiotherapy should be avoided in the first and early second trimester. This chapter describes the possible diagnostic techniques and treatment for the common malignancies in pregnancy; some case studies indicating supradiaphragmatic radiotherapy may be safe later in pregnancy. Pelvic radiotherapy for gynaecological malignancies is not appropriate.
authors.affiliation: St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, UK. Electronic address: sarah_needleman@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Needleman
authors.affiliation: St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE, UK. Electronic address: melanie.powell@bartshealth.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Powell
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000628:therapy; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000209:etiology; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography / Q000009:adverse effects; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects
keywords: cancer; malignancy; pregnancy; radiation; radiotherapy