Jad Abuhamed: Childhood head CT scans associated with increased brain tumour risk

CT scans have transformed the diagnostics of several diseases especially in emergencies and complex cases. CT imaging is based on x-rays, meaning they use ionising radiation. Jad Abuhamed’s dissertation connects three perspectives: 1) how often children undergo CT scans in Finland 2) how childhood brain tumour incidence has changed over three decades, and 3) how radiation from CT scans relates to brain tumour risk.

The population-based research drew from nationwide registers and hospital datasets. 

The study showed a small, long-term increase in childhood brain tumor rates from 1990 to 2017, mostly because detection and record-keeping improved over time, though a slight real increase can’t be ruled out.

The results show that a history of head CTs was associated with higher brain tumor risk even after establishing that the imaging had occurred clearly before the diagnosis. The risk depends on the dose as bigger radiation doses were associated with a higher risk. However, the effects of a single CT scan that is truly needed carries a very small risk, but the effects can still be significant if a large number of scans are performed.

The findings support three practical steps:

1. CT scans should only be used when they clearly benefit the child and there are no other options.
2. Scanning devices should be adjusted to fit the child’s size to minimise radiation doses.
3. Alternative imaging options, such as MRI and ultrasound, should be preferred as they do not carry the same risk.

Abuhamed emphasises clear, joint decision-making between healthcare providers and parents. 

“CT is often indispensable in pediatric care. Our findings do not mean that any single scan will cause a tumor. They emphasize individualized case-by-case decisions with families and clinicians weighing benefits and risks and ensuring any CT protocol is tailored to the child,” says Jad Abuhamed. 

The work also highlights the value of Finland’s integrated health registers for ongoing monitoring of imaging practices and tumor trends and underscores the need for extended follow-up and refined dosimetry in future research. 

Jad Abuhamed is a Finland-based researcher from Syria. He has a background in medicine and public health, with interests in radiation and cancer research, children’s wellbeing, and health governance. He currently works for the Finnish Cancer Registry to improve cancer screening programs across Europe.