A novel radiation-shielding undergarment using tungsten functional paper for patients with permanent prostate brachytherapy

Tungsten functional paper (TFP) is a paper-based radiation-shielding material, which is lead-free and easy to cut. We developed a radiation protection undergarment using TFP for prostate cancer patients treated with permanent (125)I seed implantation (PSI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the shielding ability of the undergarment with respect to household contacts and members of the public. Between October 2016 and April 2017, a total of 10 prostate cancer patients treated with PSI were enrolled in this prospective study. The external radiation exposure from each patient 1 day after PSI was measured with and without the undergarment. Measurements were performed using a survey meter at 100 cm from the surface of the patient’s body. The exposure rates were measured from five directions: anterior, anteriorly oblique, lateral, posteriorly oblique, and posterior. The measured radiation exposure rates without the undergarment, expressed as mean ± standard deviation, from the anterior, anteriorly oblique, lateral, posteriorly oblique, and posterior directions were 1.28 ± 0.43 μSv/h, 0.70 ± 0.34 μSv/h, 0.21 ± 0.062 μSv/h, 0.65 ± 0.33 μSv/h and 1.24 ± 0.41 μSv/h, respectively. The undergarment was found to have (mean ± standard deviation) shielding abilities of 88.7 ± 5.8%, 44.0 ± 42.1%, 50.6 ± 15.9%, 72.9 ± 27.0% and 90.4 ± 10.7% from the anterior, anteriorly oblique, lateral, posteriorly oblique, and posterior directions, respectively. In conclusion, this shielding undergarment is a useful device that has the potential to reduce radiation exposure for the general public and the patient’s family.