In plain language
Nine interventional cardiologists and radiologists with long cath lab careers developed brain tumours, and the reported cardiologist cases were all left-sided. This suggests a possible link to occupational radiation but does not prove one.
At a glance
- Type of study
- Case report or series
- Who was studied
- Interventional cardiologists, Interventional radiologists
- Size
- n = 9 physicians with brain tumours
- Summary based on
- the abstract
What it found
Four interventional cardiologists with brain malignancies, all in the left hemisphere, were reported.
Key figures: 4 cases
A literature search added five cases, giving nine physicians with brain tumours: six interventional cardiologists and three interventional radiologists, all with prolonged cath lab radiation exposure.
Key figures: 9 cases (6 interventional cardiologists, 3 interventional radiologists)
The left side of the head receives more radiation than the right in interventional cardiologists and radiologists, consistent with the left-sided tumours.
The authors judge a link to occupational radiation biologically plausible, but risk cannot be assessed because the population is small and the tumours are rare. The cases may be due to chance.
Limits to keep in mind
This is a small case series combined with literature cases. It has no denominator or comparison group, so it cannot establish incidence or causation, and the cases may reflect chance or selective reporting.
Related research summaries
- Radiation exposure in interventional cardiology: a narrative review of health effects and novel approaches to ensure radiation safety (2025, Narrative review)
- Addressing the Occupational Risk of Radiation Exposure in the Evolving Field of Interventional Echocardiography (2024, Narrative review)
- Aegrescit medendo: orthopedic disability in electrophysiology, call for fluoroscopy elimination, review and commentary (2022, Editorial or commentary)
- The Biological Effects of Diagnostic Cardiac Imaging on Chronically Exposed Physicians: The Importance of Being Non-Ionizing (2004, Narrative review)
- Occupational Radiation Exposure and Thyroid Nodules in Healthcare Workers: A Review (2025, Narrative review)
How this summary was made
ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the abstract of the paper. A program then checked that the passage supporting each finding appears word for word in that source. A person has not yet reviewed each summary, so read the original before relying on a number. ORSIF summarizes research and does not endorse any product or company. Report a problem with this summary.
Prepared November 3, 2026.