Estimating cancer induction risk from abdominopelvic scanning with 6- and 16-slice computed tomography

Abstract

Purpose: The biological effects of ionizing radiation (BEIR VII) report estimates that the risk of getting cancer from radiation is increased by about a third from current regulation risk levels. The propose of this study was to estimate cancer induction risk from abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) scanning of adult patients using 6- and 16-slice CT scanners.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study on 200 patients with abdominopelvic CT scan in 6- and 16-slice scanners was conducted. The dose-length product (DLP) and volume CT Dose Index (CTDI_vol) values from the scanners as well as the effective dose values from the ImPACT CT patient dosimetry calculator with the biological effects of ionizing radiation (BEIR VII) method were used to estimate the cancer induction risk.

Results: The mean (and standard deviation) values of CTDI_vol and DLP were 6.9 (±1.07) mGy and 306.44 (± 60.57) mGy.cm for 6-slice, and 5.19 (±0.91) mGy and 219.7 (±49.31) mGy.cm for 16-slice scanner, respectively. The range of effective dose in the 6-slice scanner was 2.61–8.15 mSv and, in the 16-slice scanner, it was 1.47–4.72 mSv. The mean and standard deviation values of total cancer induction risk in abdominopelvic examinations were 0.136 ± 0.059% for men and 0.135 ± 0.063% for women in the 6-slice CT scanner. The values were 0.126 ± 0.051% for men and 0.127 ± 0.056% for women in the 16-slice scanner.

Conclusions: The cancer induction risk of abdominopelvic scanning was noticeable. Therefore, radiation dose should be minimized by optimizing the protocols and applying appropriate methods.

Keywords:

• Abdominopelvic CT scan
• cancer induction risk
• effective dose
• radiation dose

Acknowledgements

We are especially thankful to the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences for financial supporting of this project.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This study was performed as part of the requirements towards MSc in Medical Physics. This study was funded by Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.