Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate the possible external radiation dose to other individuals from patients treated with Y-90 resin microspheres for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: We designed the study prospectively to estimate the possible radiation dose to other individuals from patients who had been treated with Y-90 microspheres for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. We estimated the total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) using two methods: 'theoretical' TEDEs according to the administered activity and 'measured' TEDE based on the 'measured' ambient radiation exposure rate. We compared the results from each method to determine when we can release patients from confinement at the earliest time complying with the patient release criteria. Results: A total of 20 administrations of Y-90 resin microspheres were done in 18 patients. The average administered activity was 1.2±0.77 (0.28-2.97) GBq. The 'theoretical' TEDEs were in the range of 0.8-10 μSv. The 'measured' TEDEs were in the range of 2.31-185 μSv. The measured TEDEs tend to be higher than the theoretical TEDEs. The values of theoretical and measured TEDE were both far less than 1 mSv, the upper limit at which the licensee can release a patient without any written documents. Conclusion: The effective dose equivalent caused by the Y-90 microsphere administered patient is very low. It is safe in terms of radiation safety to the other individuals when Y-90 microsphere radioembolization therapy is done with dose less than 3 GBq. Because the measured TEDE tends to be higher than the theoretical TEDE, it is recommended to use 'measured' TEDE for determining patient release.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 252-260 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2010 Dec |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by the Phase IV study of Yttrium-90 Microspheres (SIR-Spheres) Therapy for the Treatment of Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HM-SS-2008) sponsored by Hoin Medibiz Co. We thank Hoin Medibiz Co. for supply of Y-90 resin microspheres.
Keywords
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Liver tumor
- Radiation safety
- Selective hepatic radio-embolization therapy
- Y-90 microsphere
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging