Greater injury severity linked to greater fatal carcinogenesis risk
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Published results showed radiation exposure and fatal carcinogenesis risk was greater among patients who had a greater severity of injury to the limb and pelvis.
Anthony Howard, PhD, and colleagues reviewed the records of 2,394 patients with an injury severity score of 16 or more to assess exposures to radiation in the 12 months following injury. Researchers used patient age and sex to model the risk of developing a fatal cancer of any type on the basis of the International Commission on Radiological Protection recommendations.
Results showed patients received a mean total radiation dose of 30.45 mSv and a median dose of 18.46 mSv. Researchers found 4.8% of patients received 100 mSv or greater of radiation. The mean risk of fatal carcinogenesis of any type related solely to medical exposure of radiation as a result of injury was 3.56% in the total patient group, according to results. As a result of medical imaging undergone in the year following injury, researchers noted 85 patients would be expected to develop cancer in their lifetime. Results showed predictive variables of the level of radiation exposure included the injury severity score and the body region of injury contributing to the injury severity score.
“A high number of patients with polytrauma are exposed to high levels of radiation in the year following injury, and the additional risk of fatal carcinogenesis of any type is not unsubstantial,” Howard told Healio/Orthopedics. “Clinicians can reduce this risk by using non-radiographic assessments and counsel those patients where there is no other option.” – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Howard reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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