Is Thorotrast still used?

Is Thorotrast still used?

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma Thorotrast is no longer in use, although the latency period of 16 to 45 years means that patients who received it during childhood radiologic examinations will occasionally still present (Case Records of the Massachusetts General Hospital, 1981).

What is Thorotrast used for?

Thorotrast is a suspension of radioactive thorium dioxide first produced in Germany in 1928 and used as a contrast agent until the 1950s. Its principal use was for cerebral angiography: 90% of the estimated 50,000-100,000 patients treated received it for this purpose.

What is thorium dioxide used for?

Thorium Dioxide is a heavy, white, crystalline (sand-like) powder. It is used in ceramics, in nuclear fuels, as a catalyst, and in electrodes for arc welding.

What does thorium do to the human body?

Studies of thorium workers have shown that breathing thorium dust may cause an increased chance of developing lung disease and cancer of the lung or pancreas many years after being exposed. Changes in the genetic material of body cells have also been shown to occur in workers who breathed thorium dust.

Where is thorium dioxide found?

Thorium is a naturally occurring radioactive metal that is found in soil, rock, and water. It is formed by the radioactive decay of uranium. Minerals such as monazite, thorite, and thorianite are rich in thorium and may be mined for the metal.

What is angiosarcoma of the liver?

Angiosarcoma is described as a high-grade, malignant neoplasm of endothelial cells of blood or lymphatic vessels. Primary hepatic angiosarcoma is a rare but aggressive malignancy and the most common primary malignant mesenchymal tumor of the liver in adults.

Why is thorium better than uranium?

Thorium-based reactors are safer because the reaction can easily be stopped and because the operation does not have to take place under extreme pressures. Compared to uranium reactors, thorium reactors produce far less waste and the waste that is generated is much less radioactive and much shorter-lived.

Where is thorite mineral found?

Thorite is mined commercially in the United States at Cripple Creek, Colo., and at Hall Mountain, Idaho. Although the mineral is usually light brown, an orange-yellow gem variety known as orangite occurs in Madagascar. For detailed physical properties, see silicate mineral (table).

What kind of cancer can you get from Thorotrast?

Due to the release of alpha particles, Thorotrast was found to be extremely carcinogenic. There is a high over-incidence of various cancers in patients who have been treated with Thorotrast. The cancers occur some years (usually 20-30) after injection of Thorotrast.

Is there a high risk of liver cancer after Thorotrast?

There is a high over-incidence of various cancers in patients who have been treated with Thorotrast. The cancers occur some years (usually 20–30) after injection of Thorotrast. The risk of developing liver cancer (or bile duct cancer) in former Thorotrast patients has been measured to be well above 100 times the risk of the rest of the population.

How many patients have been treated with Thorotrast?

About 2 to 10 million patients worldwide have been treated with Thorotrast. However, today it has shown an increase risk in certain cancers such as cholangiocarcinomas, angiosarcomas, hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatic fibrosis of the liver.

What kind of radiograph is used for Thorotrast?

In patients treated with Thorotrast, a plain radiograph of the abdomen demonstrates fine, irregular metallic densities distributed throughout the liver, spleen, and peripancreatic lymph nodes 4 . Hepatic angiosarcoma is the classic Thorotrast-related neoplasm.

Is Thorotrast still used? Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma Thorotrast is no longer in use, although the latency period of 16 to 45 years means that patients who received it during childhood radiologic examinations will occasionally still present (Case Records of the Massachusetts General Hospital, 1981). What is Thorotrast used for? Thorotrast is a suspension of radioactive thorium…