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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2012, at 18:26:25
Interesting glad I didn't get them when a child. Phillipa
From Medscape Medical News > OncologyDental X-Rays Linked to Tumors Inside Skull
Sandra Yin
April 10, 2012 Early or repeated exposure to dental x-rays appears to increase the risk for meningioma, the most commonly reported primary brain tumor in the United States, according to a study published online April 10 in Cancer.
The study reveals a statistically significant increased risk for meningioma in people who underwent bitewing or panoramic x-rays.
"The findings presented here are important, because dental x-rays remain the most common artificial source of exposure to ionizing radiation for individuals living in the United States," the researchers report.
According to lead author Elizabeth Claus, MD, PhD, professor and director of medical research at the Yale University School of Public Health in New Haven, Connecticut, and attending neurosurgeon at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, "the study presents an ideal opportunity in public health to increase awareness regarding the optimal use of dental x-rays, which unlike many risk factors is modifiable."
Most Meningiomas Are Benign
Meningiomas are tumors that arise from the meninges, which are membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, Derek Johnson, MD, a neurologist who specializes in neuro-oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, told Medscape Medical News. He was not involved in the study. Although technically not brain tumors, they occur inside the skull and can push inward on the brain from the outside. The vast majority (90%) are pathologically benign, he said. Some 170,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with these tumors.
If small meningiomas are found but are not causing any symptoms, usually observation is all that's necessary. "Finding a meningioma does not necessarily mean that it must be treated," said Dr. Johnson.
But if the tumor grows over time or causes symptoms, surgery or radiation therapy, either fractionated or with techniques such as Cyberknife or Gamma Knife, can be considered, he said.
Largest Study to DateThe researchers set out to explore the relation between dental x-rays, which are the most common modifiable source of ionizing radiation, and the risk for intracranial meningioma.
The population-based casecontrol study compared 1433 patients with intracranial meningioma from 4 states with a control group of 1350 people with similar traits who had not been diagnosed with a meningioma.
This study is the largest of its kind to explore the effects of relatively common dental x-rays, according to the researchers. Most previous data came from studies that looked at the effects of high-dose single exposures such as atomic bombs, or a small number of high-dose exposures like radiation therapy, the researchers note.
Over a lifetime, patients with meningioma were more than twice as likely as control subjects to report having had a bitewing exam, which uses an x-ray film held in place by a tab between the teeth, the researchers found.
Regardless of age, more frequent bitewing films were associated with increased risk. People who had meningiomas were 1.4 to 1.9 times more likely than control subjects to have received bitewing exams yearly or more often.
Bitewing x-rays are relatively common. More than 92% of the population studied had undergone one.
I think this is the best and most conclusive evidence to date.
"I think this is the best and most conclusive evidence to date that low-dose repeated exposure the kind of thing we come into contact with relatively regularly in our day-to-day life is likely a true risk factor for this particular tumor," Dr. Johnson told Medscape Medical News.
The less common panorex exams, which offer a 2-dimensional panoramic view of all a person's teeth and surrounding bones, were associated with a notably higher risk for meningioma among people screened when young and among those who had the exams yearly or more often. People who reported undergoing such x-rays when they were younger than 10 years of age had a 4.9 increase in the risk of developing the brain tumors. However, Dr. Johnson noted that a small sample size (22 cases) led to some instability in the odds ratio, resulting in a wide confidence interval (1.8 to 13.2). Less than half (47 percent) of case and control subjects had ever undergone a panorex exam.
Another expert said that the study highlights the dangers posed by dental x-rays. "The importance of this study is that it shows that this is not a procedure with zero risk," said Keith L. Black MD, chair and professor of the Department of Neurosurgery, director of the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute, and director of the Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. Brain Tumor Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. "As a general rule, we need to be more concerned about x-ray exposure, particularly in the younger population," he explained.
When Possible, Avoid Fishing Expeditions
If there is no evidence of a problem, such as a cavity or the need for a root canal that might warrant further exploration, Dr. Black advises against x-ray fishing expeditions. For more than 20 years, his dentist has asked him after his twice-yearly dental cleanings whether he wants x-rays. Without fail, he declines. "If I have no complaints and they see no cavities, I don't see the point in getting the x-rays, so I refuse," he said.
Patients and parents should have conversations with their dentists about the risks and benefits of dental x-rays, he said, so they can make the most informed, intelligent decisions about when to get them. Dental x-rays should not be indiscriminately used as a yearly screening test for patients. "They should use them only when they're only critically necessary," said Dr. Black.
The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Brain Science Foundation, and Meningioma Mommas. Dr. Claus, Dr. Black, and Dr. Johnson have disclosed no relevant financial relationships. Dr. Black is the author of BRAIN SURGEON: A Doctor's Inspiring Encounters with Mortality and Miracles.
Cancer. Published online April 10, 2012. Abstract
Posted by gadchik on April 11, 2012, at 19:08:27
In reply to Dental XRays Linked to Brain Tumors, posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2012, at 18:26:25
I didnt get xrays when I went to dentist this week,as I saw on the news,not to get them so much
Posted by Phil on April 11, 2012, at 19:09:13
In reply to Dental XRays Linked to Brain Tumors, posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2012, at 18:26:25
God, what else can kill us? Pink slime, yum.
Posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2012, at 20:27:19
In reply to Re: Dental XRays Linked to Brain Tumors » Phillipa, posted by Phil on April 11, 2012, at 19:09:13
I think just about everything can. Even going to the dentist is hazardous. I'm just glad my parents couldn't afford dentists for me when a kid. But the one time I went the Dentist gave me ball of silver mercury to play with. So I must be full of mercury among other things. Phillipa
Posted by sigismund on April 12, 2012, at 2:44:03
In reply to Re: Dental XRays Linked to Brain Tumors, posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2012, at 20:27:19
Do you use a mobile phone (as we say here)? Brain tumours! Ha! No doubt. But I am safe as I am too impaired and too hostile to use one. Look, I simply don't care; I am already full of mercury. I must chelate!
Posted by sleepygirl2 on April 12, 2012, at 12:24:11
In reply to Dental XRays Linked to Brain Tumors, posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2012, at 18:26:25
I have a family member who underwent brain surgery to remove a benign tumor. She's worked in dental offices for about 30 years. Taking x-rays is part of her job.
Posted by Phillipa on April 12, 2012, at 18:42:57
In reply to Re: Dental XRays Linked to Brain Tumors » Phillipa, posted by sleepygirl2 on April 12, 2012, at 12:24:11
Really? I don't think I'd want that job. Same as a tech that does x=rays and CT scans all day. Phillipa
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