Introduction:

Ionizing radiation comes from natural (radioactivity and cosmic radiation) or artificial sources. The artificial ionizing radiation, which includes the X-ray and the radioactive isotopes produced in the nuclear reactors, has many applications, notably in the industries, investigation and medicine sectors, turning the health professionals into exposed workers.

Case description:

A case of a 61-year-old women, radiologic technologist in a radiology department in a pediatric hospital, with forty years of ionizing radiation exposure, culminating in retroperitoneal liposarcoma diagnosis, as described.

Discussion:

The exposure to high levels of Ionizing radiation is related to the induction, yet not exclusive, of cancer. Accordingly, to International Agency for Research on Cancer, the exposure to ionizing radiation directly related to an increased risk for sarcomas, squamous cells carcinomas and adenocarcinomas.

Conclusion:

The health protection of the professional health workers exposed to ionizing radiation within the hospital (as a workplace), brings up a major challenge for the occupational health services, which must organize radiological protection programs aiming to minimize the exposure of the health professionals and potential adverse effects directly related to it.

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