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Chapter 13 - Pregnancy and radiation

from Section 2 - Fetal effects of cancer treatments and interventions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

By
Eyal Fenig
Edited by
Gideon Koren  and
Michael Lishner
Gideon Koren
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
Michael Lishner
Affiliation:
Tel-Aviv University
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Summary

This chapter discusses the risk of embryo-fetal irradiation during pregnancy. In pregnant patients undergoing radionuclide examinations, radiation may reach the embryo-fetus by means of the penetrating gamma rays and X-rays emitted by radionuclides concentrated in maternal organs or the placenta, or by radionuclides taken up by the fetus after they cross the placenta. Physicians faced with a pregnant woman who requires radiation therapy for cancer may be inclined to advocate abortion for fear of possible injury to the fetus. The chapter also discusses specific cancers complicating pregnancy that may require radiation therapy. These cancers are usually divided into extrapelvic and pelvic. The chapter describes the most common types: breast cancer, Hodgkin's disease (extrapelvic), and cervical cancer (pelvic). Radiation exposure has been shown to increase the risk of cancers in both adult and children.

Keywords

ABVDchemotherapyHodgkin's lymphomapregnancyMRIpositron emission tomography
Type
Chapter
Information
Cancer in Pregnancy and Lactation
The Motherisk Guide
 , pp. 69 - 78
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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