Work

Unique approaches for testicular shielding during total‐body irradiation for pediatric patients

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Total-body irradiation (TBI) has been used as a part of the conditioning regimen for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for certain nonmalignant conditions such as sickle cell disease. Although effective, TBI can cause lasting side effects for pediatric patients. One of these potential side effects includes oligospermia or even permanent azoospermia. Although many investigators have studied ways to shield the testicles during the TBI for nonmalignant conditions, there is no set standard. We describe the technical aspects of effective techniques to shield the testicles of male pediatric patients undergoing TBI. We verified that our techniques reduced the testicular dose by approximately 80%-85% of the TBI prescription dose in four male pediatric patients, keeping the dose well below the documented doses that can cause permanent infertility and hypogonadism.

Source: Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics

DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13842

Authors: Mohit Shiv Agarwal, Kathryn Bales Kelly, Panos Papanikolaou, Neil Kirby, Chul Soo Ha

Institutions: The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center, Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Radiotherapy Techniques

Subfield: Radiation

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $650