Investigation of an Accidental Exposure of Radiotherapy Patients in Panama

This report, compiled by a team of senior experts, contains the assessment of a radiological accident which led to serious overexposure of radiotherapy patients in Panama. From August 2000 to February 2001, due to a calculation error in the data entry of the treatment plan, the patients were treated with a dose 100% higher than the regular dose. The report evaluates the doses incurred, undertakes a medical evaluation of the affected patients’ prognosis and treatment, and closes with a number of findings, conclusions and lessons to be learned.