Radiotherapy for a solitary brain metastasis during pregnancy: a method for reducing fetal dose

Br J Radiol. 2001 Jul;74(883):638-41. doi: 10.1259/bjr.74.883.740638.

Abstract

A patient presented during the second half of pregnancy with a solitary brain metastasis from lung cancer. This case shows that, using a new patient position, it is possible to shield the fetus efficiently. This new method consisted of whole brain irradiation with parallel pair treatment by lateral fields with the patient in a supine position with maximal neck extension. The dose to the fetus has been considerably reduced (0.3 cGy total dose) compared with previous techniques. The prescribed tumour dose was 30 Gy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / radiotherapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / secondary*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms*
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / radiotherapy*
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiation Protection / methods
  • Treatment Outcome