Leukemia, thyroid cancer, and sarcomas of bone and soft tissue are common secondary cancers. The report of the National Council on Radiation Protection provides guidance for pediatricians, outlining methods for limiting the radiation dose administered to children during radiologic procedures. In addition, the report provides guidance for determining whether a procedure is warranted. For physicians with patients who have been exposed to high levels of environmental radiation, such as that from the Chernobyl disaster, guidelines are available for medical follow-up. The risk of cancer associated with most diagnostic radiation is low, and its use should not be restricted when needed for correct diagnosis.
Any medical procedure has a risk and diagnostic radiography is no exception.
A comparison of medical procedures and their respective radiation doses is provided in the Table , which can help the clinician, the patient, and the family have a more informed opinion concerning risk. Limitation of radiation, shielding sensitive body parts like the thyroid, and assuring a nonpregnant state are all components of good medical practice. Therapeutic doses should only be used when the indications are unmistakable and the risk justified as in the treatment of malignant tumors. Special susceptibility of the child to certain radiation-induced cancers. Environ Health Perspect.