A. Noël

DNA double-strand breaks induced by mammographic screening procedures in human mammary epithelial cells.

Abstract Purpose: To assess in vitro mammographic radiation-induced DNA damage in mammary epithelial cells from 30 patients with low (LR) or high (HR) family risk of breast cancer. Materials and methods: Spontaneous and radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) were quantified by using immunofluorescence of the phosphorylated H2AX histone (γH2AX) in different conditions of mammography irradiation (2, 4, 2 + 2 mGy). Results: HR patients showed significantly more spontaneous γH2AX foci than LR patients (p = 0.014). A significant dose-effect was observed, with an exacerbation in HR patients (p = 0.01). The dose repetition (2 + 2 mGy) provided more induced and more unrepaired DSB than 2 mGy and 4 mGy, and was exacerbated in HR (p = 0.006). Conclusions: This study highlights the existence of DSB induced by mammography and revealed by γH2AX assay with two major radiobiological effects occurring: A low-dose effect, and a LOw and Repeated Dose (LORD) effect. All these effects were exacerbated in HR patients. These findings may lead us to re-evaluate the number of views performed in screening using a single view (oblique) in women whose mammographic benefit has not properly been proved such as HR patients.

Updated Relevance of Mammographic Screening Modalities in Women Previously Treated with Chest Irradiation for Hodgkin Disease

Because patients with Hodgkin disease are also candidates for repeat scanning with body CT and/or PET/CT, the importance of optimizing acquisition parameters by using all breast irradiation imaging technologies must be highly considered.

Management de la qualité et de la sécurité en radiothérapie « Quel rôle pour les qualiticiens ? » : exemple au centre Alexis-Vautrin

Since 2007, the Centre Alexis-Vautrin Cancer Institute in Nancy began its safety and quality assurance management policy in the department of radiation oncology. This development induced a collaborative workflow between the quality unit and the department of radiation oncology, with a definition of the responsibilities. The quality unit provides its methodology for the quality assurance, the professionals of the radiation oncology department their expertise. In parallel, a quality referee was nominated in the radiation oncology department to implement the projects for improvement, linked with the quality assurance unit, and under the control of the radiation oncology department staff.