Health effects of cArdiac fluoRoscopy and mOdern radIotherapy in paediatriCs

Duration: June 2019- May 2024
The use of radiation for medical diagnosis and treatment procedures has had a major impact on the survival of paediatric patients. Although the benefits of these techniques largely outweigh the risks, there is a need to better understand the long-term health effects of such exposures in order to optimise treatment plans in these young patients and reduce the risk of late toxicities.
Overall Goal
Specific Aims
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Investigate the late health effects in children undergoing modern radiotherapy (including proton therapy)
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Investigate development of cancer in children exposed to X-ray guided imaging for treatment of cardiac disorders
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Provide the medical and radiation protection (RP) communities with tools for long-term follow-up of children exposed to medical ionising radiation.
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Improve estimates of radiation doses received by different organs in the body during these procedures
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Investigate possible mechanisms that may lead to the development of cancer and vascular diseases in these patients later in life
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Establish recommendations to optimise these techniques and further reduce radiation doses received by children undergoing X-ray guided imaging and radiotherapy