Radiotherapy: the lessons from accidents and Epinal Toulouse

The radiation therapy accidents of Epinal and Toulouse which were identified in 2006 and 2007 respectively concerned a large number of patients. The overexposure of the target organs during radiation therapy induced severe deterministic effects. A return of experience has been made. It showed that t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Radioprotection 2009-10, Vol.44 (4), p.417-429
Main Authors: Bourguignon, M, Simon, J M, Peiffert, D, Krembel, D
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The radiation therapy accidents of Epinal and Toulouse which were identified in 2006 and 2007 respectively concerned a large number of patients. The overexposure of the target organs during radiation therapy induced severe deterministic effects. A return of experience has been made. It showed that the mistakes which occurred resulted from organisational and human failures. Thus, it is in this domain that efforts must be carried out to prevent new accidents.Original Abstract: Les accidents de radiotherapie d'Epinal et de Toulouse, identifies respectivement en 2006 et 2007, ont concernes un tres grand nombre de patients. La sur-irradiation des organes cibles lors de la radiotherapie a entraine des effets deterministes graves. Un retour d'experience a ete effectue et a indique que les erreurs qui conduisent aux evenements graves resultent de defaillances humains et organisationnelles. C'est dans ce domaine du facteur organisationnel et humain que doivent porter les efforts pour prevenir la survenue de nouveaux accidents.
ISSN:1769-700X
0033-8451
DOI:10.1051/radiopro/2009024