Poster — Thur Eve — 41: Considerations for Patients with Permanently Implant Radioactive Sources Requiring Unrelated Surgery

Journal Article · Fri Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 2014 · Medical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1118/1.4894901· OSTI ID:22407663

Basran, P. S; Beckham, WA ^[1]; Baxter, P ^[2]

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1. Dept. Medical Physics, BC Cancer Agency- Vancouver Island Centre and Dept. Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria, BC (Canada)
2. Vancouver Island Health Authority, Victoria, BC (Canada)

Permanent implant of sealed radioactive sources is an effective technique for treating cancer. Typically, the radioactive sources are implanted in and near the disease, depositing dose locally over several months. There may be instances where these patients must undergo unrelated surgical procedures when the radioactive material remains active enough to pose risks. This work explores these risks, discusses strategies to mitigate those risks, and describes a case study for a permanent I-125 prostate brachytherapy implant patient who developed colo-rectal cancer and required surgery 6 months after brachytherapy. The first consideration is identifying the risk from unwarranted radiation to the patient and staff before, during, and after the surgical procedure. The second is identifying the risk the surgical procedure may have on the efficacy of the brachytherapy implant. Finally, there are considerations for controlling for radioactive substances from a regulatory perspective. After these risks are defined, strategies to mitigate those risks are considered. These strategies may include applying the concepts of ALARA, the use of protective equipment and developing a best practice strategy with the operating room team. We summarize this experience with some guidelines: If the surgical procedure is near (ex: 5 cm) of the implant; and, the surgical intervention may dislodge radioisotopes enough to compromise treatment or introduces radiation safety risks; and, the radioisotope has not sufficiently decayed to background levels; and, the surgery cannot be postponed, then a detailed analysis of risk is advised.

• OSTI ID: 22407663
• Journal Information: Medical Physics, Journal Name: Medical Physics Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 41; ISSN 0094-2405; ISSN MPHYA6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
BRACHYTHERAPY
HAZARDS
IODINE 125
NEOPLASMS
PATIENTS
PROSTATE
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIATION SOURCE IMPLANTS
RECTUM
SURGERY