Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40748367›Full record

ArticleStrahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al]2025

Analysis of fetal dose exposure by modern radiation therapy in pregnant patients with supradiaphragmatic Hodgkin lymphoma-a phantom-based simulation.

Gina M Smeets, Isabel Vogt, Heidi Wolters, Christopher Kittel, Dominik A Hering, Fabian M Troschel, Gabriele Reinartz, Burkhard Greve, Uwe Haverkamp, Michael Oertel and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Strahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al], 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Gina M SmeetsDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Isabel VogtDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Heidi WoltersDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Christopher KittelDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Dominik A HeringDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Fabian M TroschelDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Gabriele ReinartzDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Burkhard GreveDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Uwe HaverkampDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Michael OertelDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany. Michael.oertel@ukmuenster.de.ORCID 0000-0002-2786-7013
Hans T EichDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeModern involved-site radiotherapy (ISRT) for Hodgkin lymphoma decreases toxicity through reduced field sizes and radiation doses. However, in pregnancy, the therapeutic benefit has to be weighed against putative harm to the mother and the fetus, as even small doses may have deleterious effects. We conducted a phantom-based simulation to analyze uterine dose exposure from cervical and mediastinal ISRT.

methodsCervical and mediastinal ISRT target volumes were contoured to calculate three comparison plans (3D-conformal radiotherapy [3D-CRT], intensity-modulated radiotherapy [IMRT], volumetric intensity-modulated arc therapy [VMAT]). Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were placed within a humanoid Alderson phantom to simulate early and late pregnancy. Overall, six measurements (two for every radiotherapy plan) with 38 TLD were conducted.

resultsIn early pregnancy, cervical ISRT treatment of 19.8 Gray (Gy) resulted in median fetal exposures of 8.8 mGy, 15.4 mGy, and 9.9 mGy for 3D-CRT, IMRT, and VMAT, respectively, with significant differences between the three techniques (p < 0.001) and increased doses in late pregnancy (p < 0.001). For mediastinal ISRT (19.8 Gy), early pregnancy doses were 44 mGy, 63.8 mGy, and 60.5 mGy for 3D-CRT, IMRT, and VMAT, respectively, again with significant differences (p < 0.001) and a significant increase (p < 0.001) in late pregnancy. In comparison, values of 214.2 mGy (3D-CRT), 249.9 mGy (IMRT), and 249.9 mGy (VMAT) were reached using 30.6 Gy, with significant differences between 3D-CRT and VMAT (p < 0.001), 3D-CRT and IMRT (p < 0.001), and IMRT and VMAT (p = 0.004).

conclusionUsing RT during pregnancy may have deleterious effects on the fetus and should be deferred until after birth whenever possible. Theoretical uterine RT doses are low overall and only exceeded safety thresholds with higher-dose intensity-modulated plans. The indication for RT in pregnancy always requires careful risk-benefit consideration and individualized planning.

Indexed as

FetusHodgkin DiseaseMediastinal NeoplasmsPhantoms, ImagingPregnancy Complications, NeoplasticRadiation InjuriesRadiotherapy, ConformalRadiotherapy, Intensity-ModulatedAdultComputer SimulationFemaleHumansPregnancyRadiotherapy DosageRadiotherapy Planning, Computer-AssistedInvolved-site radiotherapyPregnancyRadiation oncologySide effectsToxicity

Identifiers

PMID40748367
PMCPMC12700992

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.