CANCER TREATMENT OF RADIOACTIVE IODINE RESULTS IN A DOSE TO FETUS
A patient was seen by the prescribing physician on May 22, 2007 about a cancer treatment with Iodine 131. The hospital conducted a pregnancy test on the patient. The result was negative. The individual was advised not to get pregnant prior to the treatment.
On May 29, 2007, the treatment was conducted at Barnes Jewish Hospital Radiation Oncology. The prescribed dose was for 125 millicuries of I-131. 125.5 millicuries of I-131 was the actual administered dose.
On May 30, 2007 the patient called the hospital to report that she conducted a home pregnancy test with positive results. The patient was asked to come in to the hospital on May 30, 2007 for another test. The hospital radiation safety officer received the results of the test on May 31, 2007. The results were positive. The staff at the hospital calculated a dose to the adult uterus as an approximation for the dose received by the fetus. The dose was estimated to be 25 to 34 rem.
The risk to the fetus is still being determined by the hospital. The possible effects on the fetus will be discussed with the patient at a future date.
A "Medical Event" may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient. |