Solid Cancer Incidence in Atomic Bomb Survivors Exposed In Utero or as Young Children

Abstract

Both the in utero and early childhood groups exhibited statistically significant dose-related increases in incidence rates of solid cancers. The apparent difference in EARs between the two groups suggests that lifetime risks following in utero exposure may be considerably lower than for early childhood exposure, but further follow-up is needed.

Suivi d’enfants exposés aux rayonnements ionisants dans le cadre de procédures radiologiques à visée diagnostique

“…L'étude des survivants des bombardements atomiques a montré que le risque de leucémie par unité de dose était de 5 à 10 fois plus élevé pour les irradiations subies avant l'âge de 5 ans, et que le surcroît de risque persistait à long terme, sur plusieurs dizaines d'années. Le délai de survenue des cancers solides serait également plus court lorsque l'irradiation a eu lieu pendant l'enfance que pour les expositions plus tardives (Preston et al, 2008). De même, une augmentation du risque de cancer de la thyroïde chez l'enfant après exposition à l'iode-131 a été clairement mise en évidence dans les suites de l'accident de Tchernobyl (Cardis et al, 2005).…”

Carcinogenic risks of prenatal ionizing radiation

“…Whether there is an increased risk has been partially answered by Preston et al [67] One conclusion is certain: the risk of developing cancer as an adult from in-utero radiation is below the risks of childhood cancer that have been suggested by several investigators (Fig. 4) [7e10,17e19,21].…”

“…During the period from 1997 to 2013 there were other publications dealing with the carcinogenic risk of exposing the embryo to ionizing radiation besides Boice and Miller [78], the RERF program in Japan [67] and the publications of Wakeford [66,90,100,101]. Wakeford continued his estimate of the risks of cancer following in-utero radiation and persisted with the conclusion that the embryo was more vulnerable to the carcinogenic effects of ionizing radiation than the risks in exposed children.…”

“…The most important recent publication dealing with the carcinogenic risks of in-utero radiation was that by Preston et al [67] ICRP 90 was published in 2003 and was titled 'Effects of prenatal irradiation (embryo and fetus)'. In 2013 an update of NCRP Handbook 54 was published as NCRP Report 174, 'Preconception and prenatal radiation exposure: health effects and protective guidance.'…”

“…Before reviewing the Preston et al [67] the data pertaining to the caseecontrol and cohort studies are examined.…”