Patient Safety: Radiation Dose in X-Ray and CT Exams. NCI’s Cancer Imaging Program (CIP), part of the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD), funds cancer-related basic, translational, and clinical research in imaging sciences and technology. If you're still concerned about radiation from a CT scan, you can always get a second opinion. Archives of Internal Medicine 2009; 169(22):2071–2077. It can help doctors spot dangerous health problems and check that treatment works. Who Should Be Screened? The dye may be given by mouth, injected into a vein, given by enema, or given in all three ways before the procedure. Women should let their health care provider and the technologist know if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. It's important to catch lung cancer as early as possible. However, the level of radiation exposure in a CT scan is believed to be too low to harm a growing fetus. Medicare coverage includes a prescreening counseling visit with the health professional who wrote the order to review the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening. In a year, the average person gets about 3 millisieverts (mSv), the units that scientists use to measure radiation. Importance. Key components of the initiative include avoiding repeat procedures, keeping doses as low as possible while maximizing image quality, and using imaging only when appropriate. The term tomography comes from the Greek words tomos (a cut, a slice, or a section) and graphein (to write or record). Journal of the American College of Radiology 2010; 7(2):87–89. The average person in the United States receives an estimated effective dose of about 3 millisieverts (mSv) per year from naturally occurring radioactive materials, such as radon and radiation from outer space (1). Your doctor can help you quit, or you can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW. Combining CT and PET may provide a more complete picture of a tumor’s location and growth or spread than either test alone. A study on early detection of lung cancer found that the low-dose cancer screening test can reduce mortality for those at high risk. What can a person expect during a CT procedure? The radiation exposure from CT is higher than that from standard x-ray procedures, but the increase in cancer risk from one CT scan is still small. But that shouldn't stop you from getting them if your doctor says you need them. A low-dose CT scan is a special kind of X-ray that takes multiple pictures as you lie on a table that slides in and out of the machine. The FDA also produced Reducing Radiation from Medical X-rays, a guide for consumers that includes information about the risks of medical x-rays, steps consumers can take to reduce radiation risks, and a table that shows the radiation dose of some common medical x-ray exams. People should tell the technologist immediately if they experience any of these symptoms, so they can be treated promptly. Ask if the technician can shield the parts of your body that don’t need the test with a lead apron. The American College of Radiology Imaging Network, which is now part of ECOG-ACRIN, performed the National CT Colonography Trial, which tested the use of CT for colorectal cancer screening, and participated in the NLST, which tested the use of CT for lung cancer screening in high-risk individuals. However, if polyps or other abnormal growths are found on CT colonography, a standard colonoscopy is usually performed to remove them. American Cancer Society: "Can I avoid exposure to radiation from x-rays and gamma rays? A chest X-ray is usually the first test, but it cannot show that the person has cancer. In the case of permitted digital reproduction, please credit the National Cancer Institute as the source and link to the original NCI product using the original product's title; e.g., “Computed Tomography (CT) Scans and Cancer was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.”. Those who have never smoked tobacco products are considered to be at too low a risk of lung cancer to benefit from lung cancer screening. The computer combines information from the two scans to … A computed tomography (CT) scan is a test your doctor might use to look for a problem inside your body, plan your surgery, or check how well a treatment is working for you. Radiation exposure from CT scans in childhood and subsequent risk of leukaemia and brain tumours: a retrospective cohort study. Combined PET/CT may also reduce the number of additional imaging tests and other procedures a patient needs. That might sound like a lot, but the total amount you get is still very small. These scans are much more likely to show lung tumors than simple chest X-rays. He was scheduled to have numerous additional chemo treatments, but he was confused and reluctant to do so – because, aside from some side effects after the chemo treatments, he felt perfectly fine...no symptoms at all. It gives detailed information about your cancer. This initiative focuses on the safe use of medical imaging devices, informed decision-making about when to use specific imaging procedures, and increasing patients’ awareness of their radiation exposure. Mathews JD, Forsythe AV, Brady Z, et al. Not having the procedure can be much more risky than having it, especially if CT is being used to diagnose cancer or another serious condition in someone who has signs or symptoms of disease. For example, one chest CT scan delivers the amount in 100 to 200 X-rays. It’s important to know that everyone is exposed to ionizing radiation every day, just from natural radioactive material in their surroundings. The only recommended screening test for lung cancer is low-dose computed tomography (also called a low-dose CT scan, or LDCT). They are more often the result of old infections, scar tissue, or other causes. The name of the facility where you had the test. A CT lung screening allows the radiologist to look at different levels, or slices, of the lungs using a rotating X-ray beam. CT scans are a type of X-ray that provide highly detailed images. CIP supports the development of novel imaging agents for CT and other types of imaging procedures to help doctors better locate cancer cells in the body. The campaign is an initiative of the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging, a coalition founded by the Society for Pediatric Radiology, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the American College of Radiology, and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. Lung cancer does not always produce symptoms in the early stages, and this can make it difficult to detect. Most doctors recommend against whole-body CT for people without any signs or symptoms of disease. While CT scans can be effective at detecting cancer in lung nodules, there are forms of cancer that will not show on a CT Scan. Projected cancer risks from computed tomographic scans performed in the United States in 2007. Some people are concerned about experiencing claustrophobia during a CT procedure. It can damage the DNA in your cells and raise the chance that they'll turn cancerous. That’s more than twice the 15% false-alarm rate associated with X-rays, Croswell says. Another doctor might be able to recommend other testing options. The CT scan … What are the risks of CT scans for children? Archives of Internal Medicine 2009; 169(22):2078–2086. The scan only takes a few minutes and is not painful. Computed tomography and radiation risks: what pediatric health care providers should know. High resolution ct scan? Lancet 2012; 380(9840):499–505. Smith-Bindman R, Lipson J, Marcus R, et al. The chance of developing lung cancer in one’s lifetime is approximately one in 13 for males and one in 16 for females (combined smokers and non-smokers). Doctors can use a CT scan to look for lung cancer. However, the most common PET procedure uses an imaging agent called FDG (a radioactive form of the sugar glucose). It includes questions to ask the doctor before undergoing any x-ray exam or treatment procedure. In addition to its use in cancer, CT is widely used to help diagnose circulatory (blood) system diseases and conditions, such as coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis), blood vessel aneurysms, and blood clots; spinal conditions; kidney and bladder stones; abscesses; inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and sinusitis; and injuries to the head, skeletal system, and internal organs. A CT scan can detect potential cancer in a lung. It will also prevent you from repeating a test you've already done. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. In high-risk smokers, the benefits of CT scans may be greater than the risks. Pearce MS, Salotti JA, Little MP, et al. Lung cancer develops due … 7A and 7B). Other PET imaging agents can provide information about the level of oxygen in a particular tissue, the formation of new blood vessels, the presence of bone growth, whether tumor cells are actively dividing and growing, and whether cancer may have spread. Needless to say, the sooner that it is detected, the better the chances of recovery. Not having the procedure can be much more risky than having it, especially if CT is being used to diagnose cancer or another serious condition in someone who has signs or symptoms of disease. CT colonography is less invasive than standard colonoscopy and has a lower risk of complications. CT scans use X-rays, which are a type of radiation called ionizing radiation. As with standard colonoscopy, a thorough cleansing of the colon is performed before this test. CT scan costs can vary depending on the facility. Most abnormal findings from this procedure do not indicate a serious health problem, but the tests that must be done to follow up and rule out a problem can be expensive, inconvenient, and uncomfortable, and they may expose the patient to extra risks, such as from an invasive procedure like a biopsy that may be needed to evaluate the findings. However, the lifetime risk of cancer from a single CT scan was small—about one case of cancer for every 10,000 scans performed on children. It can show the size, shape, position, and depth of any lung tumor. Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM), Coping with Your Feelings During Advanced Cancer, Emotional Support for Young People with Cancer, Young People Facing End-of-Life Care Decisions, Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Treatment, Tech Transfer & Small Business Partnerships, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Milestones in Cancer Research and Discovery, Step 1: Application Development & Submission, Patient and Physician Guide: National Lung Screening Trial, Initiative to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging, Radiation Risks and Pediatric Computed Tomography (CT): A Guide for Health Care Providers, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Results of the National CT Colonography Trial: Questions and Answers, Tests to Detect Colorectal Cancer and Polyps, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, To determine exactly where to perform (i.e., guide) a, To guide certain local treatments, such as, To determine whether a cancer is responding to treatment. If you would like to reproduce some or all of this content, see Reuse of NCI Information for guidance about copyright and permissions. Various viruses, bacteria, and fungi can cause pneumonia. American College of Radiology and Radiological Society of North America (April 2012). The radiation exposure from CT is higher than that from standard x-ray procedures, but the increase in cancer risk from one CT scan is still small. Women are at a somewhat higher risk than men of developing cancer after receiving the same radiation exposures at the same ages (4). If the test is clinically justified, then the parents can be reassured that the benefits will outweigh the small long-term risks. Therefore, people are not enclosed in a machine and are unlikely to feel claustrophobic. Individuals who have had multiple CT scans before the age of 15 were found to have an increased risk of developing leukemia, brain tumors (6), and other cancers (7) in the decade following their first scan. Know that the chances of getting cancer from a CT scan are very low. At Ezra, we’ve found the best defense against cancer is early detection. Iodine and barium are two dyes commonly used in CT. In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched the Initiative to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging. The Image Gently campaign was launched in 2008 to raise awareness about methods to reduce radiation dose during pediatric medical imaging examinations. Lung cancer is the third most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in the United States 1.The most important risk factor for lung cancer is smoking, which results in approximately 85% of all U.S. lung cancer cases 2.Although the prevalence of smoking has decreased, approximately 37% of U.S. adults are current or former smokers 2. Some people worry about getting this test because radiation is known as a possible cause of cancer. Symptoms of a more serious allergic reaction include shortness of breath and swelling of the throat or other parts of the body. But cancer had been diagnosed based on a … However, smokers have a much greater risk of developing lung cancer. CT scans can show abnormalities in the lung. This, in turn, may cause collapse of the air sacs surrounding the tumor. NCI’s website includes a guide for health care providers, The American College of Radiology (ACR) has developed the. A lung PET scan is typically combined with a lung CT scan to detect conditions like lung cancer. Standard x-ray procedures, such as routine chest x-rays and mammography, use relatively low levels of ionizing radiation. A low-dose CT scan is a different type of chest CT scan. The widespread use of CT and other procedures that use ionizing radiation to create images of the body has raised concerns that even small increases in cancer risk could lead to large numbers of future cancers (2, 3). Committee to Assess Health Risks from Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation, National Research Council. Should I be concerned?". The second CT scan produced false-positive results for cancer in 33% of patients. Each CT scan delivers 1 to 10 mSv, depending on the dose of radiation and the part of your body that's getting the test. If you have a lung nodule Quitting greatly reduces your risk of lung cancer. CT colonography uses the same dose of radiation that is used in standard CT of the abdomen and pelvis, which is about 10 millisieverts (mSv) (1). It can also look at your liver and adrenal glands. The benefits of helical CT in screening for lung cancer may vary, depending on how similar someone is to the people who participated in the NLST. The American Lung Association says someone in the United States will die from lung cancer every three and a half minutes. Bone scan. ", Mayo Clinic: "CT scan: Definition," "CT scan: Why it's done," "Tests and Procedures: CT Scan. Lung cancer screening is recommended for older adults who are longtime smokers and who don't have any signs or symptoms of lung cancer.Doctors use a low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) scan of the lungs to look for lung cancer. Drawing shows the patient on a table that slides through the CT machine, which takes x-ray pictures of the inside of the body. Berrington de González A, Mahesh M, Kim K-P, et al. The benefits may also be greater for those with a higher lung cancer risk, and the harms may be more pronounced for those who have more medical problems (like heart or other lung disease), which could increase problems arising from biopsies and other surgery. It is also important to note that everyone is exposed to some background level of naturally occurring ionizing radiation every day. doi:10.1136/bmj.f2360. The cost can fluctuate from $270 to $5000. Cancer cells often use different metabolic pathways than normal cells. The short answer is, “yes, sometimes”. Jane Helical CT (also called spiral CT) has several advantages over older CT techniques: it is faster, produces better quality 3-D pictures of areas inside the body, and may detect small abnormalities better. Numerous radiopharmaceuticals have been developed. Some people may be concerned about the amount of radiation they receive during CT. CT imaging involves the use of x-rays, which are a form of ionizing radiation. Most lung nodules seen on CT scans are not cancer. Lung tumors can be diagnosed as pneumonia when they are first detected on a chest x-ray. A CT scan of the chest can help find problems such as infection, lung cancer, blocked blood flow in the lung (pulmonary embolism), and other lung problems. The Image Wisely website provides resources and information to radiologists, medical physicists, other imaging practitioners, and patients. The doctor will then order additional testing to rule out or confirm a cancer diagnosis. What is being done to reduce the level of radiation exposure from CT? In diagnosing lung cancer, but their role in checking whether treatment is working is unproven. The possibility of cancer is slightly higher in women than in men. Additional information about CT imaging is available from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal agency that regulates food, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, biologics, and radiation-emitting products. Modern CT machines take continuous pictures in a helical (or spiral) fashion rather than taking a series of pictures of individual slices of the body, as the original CT machines did. For example, people screened with low-dose helical CT had a higher overall rate of false-positive results (that is, findings that appeared to be abnormal even though no cancer was present) than those screened with standard x-rays. The NCI-sponsored National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) showed that people aged 55 to 74 years with a history of heavy smoking are 20% less likely to die from lung cancer if they are screened with low-dose helical CT than if they are screened with standard chest x-rays. Medicare covers the costs of annual lung cancer screening with low-dose CT in beneficiaries considered to be at increased risk based on their smoking history. The scan looks at your lungs and other parts of your chest. Our syndication services page shows you how. CT scanner manufacturers are developing newer cameras and detector systems that can provide higher quality images at much lower radiation doses. Computer programs are used to create both types of pictures. 4K views Keep a record of the CT scans and other X-rays you have, so you'll know how much radiation you're getting. Patient kidney function can be checked with a simple blood test before the contrast agent is injected. What are the chances that the X-rays from a scan will end up causing a problem? By comparison, the radiation exposure from one low-dose CT scan of the chest (1.5 mSv) is comparable to 6 months of natural background radiation, and a regular-dose CT scan of the chest (7 mSv) is comparable to 2 years of natural background radiation (1). The best way to prevent lung cancer. Very rarely, the contrast agents used in CT can cause kidney problems for certain patients, such as those with impaired kidney function. CT scans only show solid masses and very dense body parts. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2006. It can damage the DNA in your cells and raise the chance that they'll turn cancerous. Malignant tumors trigger inflammation in surrounding normal lung tissue, and they may obstruct your airways and interfere with normal airflow. Computed tomography (CT) scans detect tumors, but do not determine whether they are malignant or not. In very rare cases, the contrast agents used in CT can cause allergic reactions. These scans expose you to more radiation than other imaging tests, like X-rays and mammograms. (By comparison, the estimated average annual dose received from natural sources of radiation is about 3 mSv.) In talking with health care providers, three key questions that the parents can ask are: why is the test needed? Currently the only recommended screening test for lung cancer, low-dose CT has been endorsed by multiple organizations, including the American Cancer … Researchers funded by NCI are studying ways to improve the use of CT in cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. CT is used in cancer in many different ways: Studies have shown that CT can be effective in both colorectal cancer screening (including screening for large polyps) and lung cancer screening. ", Radiological Society of North America: "I've had many CT scans. Lung cancer and pneumonia can, at times, mimic each other on both radiographs and CT. CT is done first to create anatomic pictures of the organs and structures in the body, and then PET is done to create pictures that provide functional data about the metabolic pathways (chemical reactions that take place in a cell to create and use energy) that are active in tissues or cells. People who have CT procedures as children may be at higher risk because children are more sensitive to radiation and have a longer life expectancy than adults. It's also higher in kids, because they're growing and their cells are dividing faster than those in adults. PET-CT scans can help to show exactly where the cancer is in your lung and whether it has spread elsewhere in the body. Before you have any imaging test, ask your doctor these questions: Your doctor should use the smallest possible dose of radiation to do the scan -- especially if you need to have several of them. … Whether CT colonography can help reduce the death rate from colorectal cancer is not yet known, and most insurance companies (and Medicare) do not currently reimburse the costs of this procedure. How will you protect the rest of my body during the CT scan? A PET-CT scan combines a CT scan and a PET scan. ", FDA: "What are the Radiation Risks from CT? You don't need to stop getting CT scans. Overall, your odds are very low -- the chance of getting a fatal cancer from any one CT scan is about 1 in 2,000. Some of these clinical trials are run by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, one of five groups in NCI’s National Clinical Trials Network. A CT scan is a very commonly used tool for oncologists who deal with all types of cancer, including common and uncommon types of lung cancer. Radiation exposure from CT scans affects adults and children differently. The combined procedure may improve the ability to diagnose cancer, to determine how far a tumor has spread, to plan treatment, and to monitor response to treatment. The National CT Colonography Trial, an NCI-sponsored clinical trial, found that the accuracy of CT colonography is similar to that of standard colonoscopy. (Previous studies had shown that screening with standard chest x-rays does not reduce the death rate from lung cancer.) Pneumonia is a lung infection that leads to breathing difficulties and fluid in the lungs. And for many people, the test is worth the small risk of radiation exposure. Patients undergoing a PET/CT procedure are administered a positron-emitting (radioactive) substance, or radiopharmaceutical, that is designed to target cancer cells specifically. Thus, a CT scan can reveal early signs of lung cancer. Despite the effectiveness of low-dose helical CT for lung cancer screening in heavy smokers, the NLST identified risks as well as benefits. As with extracolonic findings from CT colonography, some such findings will be serious, but many will not. Some people experience mild itching or hives (small bumps on the skin). Most doctors do not recommend PET/CT scans for routine follow up of patients after lung cancer treatment. Some fear that the ionizing radiation emitted from CT scans can harm DNA and cause tumors. Children also have more years ahead of them in which they could get cancer from radiation. Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging procedure that uses special x-ray equipment to create detailed pictures, or scans, of areas inside the body. Is there an alternative test that doesn’t involve radiation? In addition, children have a longer life expectancy than adults, providing a larger window of opportunity for radiation-related cancers to develop (5). The contrast dye highlights specific areas inside the body, resulting in clearer pictures. NCI also conducts and sponsors clinical trials that are testing ways to improve CT or new uses of CT imaging technology. CT scans are a type of X-ray that provide highly detailed images. CT imaging is also used to detect abnormal brain function or deposits in adult patients with cognitive impairment who are being evaluated for Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of cognitive decline. It depends on your age, gender, and the part of your body that's being scanned. The person might hear whirring sounds during the procedure. Often, doctors use a CT scan as an initial imaging test. Though low-attenuation areas, calcification, and, rarely, airmeniscus sign are sometimes present on CT, most cases usually show a smoothly marginated, homogeneously well-enhanced, round, or oval nodule or mass, and differentiation from solid lung cancer with round or oval margins is difficult on CT [22, 23] (Figs. CT is a noninvasive procedure and does not cause any pain. Retrieved July 19, 2013. A sample form, called My Medical Imaging History, was developed by the Radiological Society of North America, the American College of Radiology, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Patient undergoing CT of the abdomen. Sometimes, CT involves the use of a contrast (imaging) agent, or dye. Your doctor will make sure that the benefits you’d get from the scan outweigh the drawbacks before they recommend it for you. PET-CT scan for lung cancer. Gerry consulted with us after 6 months on chemotherapy for stage 3 lung cancer that had been diagnosed based on a CT scan.. ", Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: "Scan Safety: A Radiation Reality Check. Will the results change the treatment decisions? It also can be used to see if cancer has spread into the chest from another area of the body. Lung cancer screening is a process that's used to detect the presence of lung cancer in otherwise healthy people with a high risk of lung cancer. A CT scan discovered a mass in my right lung 2012, due to position biopsy was unable to be done . It can also show whether the cancer has spread outside the lung. Some organs are more sensitive to radiation than others. If you are 55 or older and at high risk of lung cancer, ask your doctor for an annual screening. Cancer risk in 680 000 people exposed to computed tomography scans in childhood or adolescence: data linkage study of 11 million Australians. Also, because CT colonography can produce images of organs and tissues outside the colon, it is possible that noncolorectal abnormalities may be found. If you want to prevent lung cancer, quit smoking. In addition, CIP maintains the Cancer Imaging Archive, which is a library of medical images of cancer, including low-dose CT images, that are accessible for public download. However it was thought to be lung cancer and I proceeded to surgery when the biopsy was done and a lobectomy carried out. This procedure, which is used routinely in patients who already have cancer, can also be used in people who do not have any symptoms of disease. However, most CT scanners surround only portions of the body, not the whole body. In response to concerns about the increased risk of cancer associated with CT and other imaging procedures that use ionizing radiation, several organizations and government agencies have developed guidelines and recommendations regarding the appropriate use of these procedures. Health Risks from Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation: BEIR VII—Phase 2. Under the Affordable Care Act, all Marketplace health plans, and many other health plans, must cover lung cancer screening with low-dose CT as a preventive care benefit for adults ages 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history (e.g., smoked one pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years or two packs of cigarettes per day for 15 years) and are either a current smoker or a former smoker who quit within the last 15 years. What is the average cost of a CT scan in the US? Combined PET/CT uses two imaging methods, CT and positron emission tomography (PET), in one procedure. In 2009, the American College of Radiology, the Radiological Society of North America, the American Society of Radiological Technologists, and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine created the Image Wisely campaign with the objective of lowering the amount of radiation used in medically necessary imaging studies and eliminating unnecessary procedures. Want to use this content on your website or other digital platform? Annual screening is covered for Medicare beneficiaries who are between 55 and 77 years old; have no signs or symptoms of lung cancer; are either a current smoker or have quit smoking within the last 15 years; have smoked an average of one pack a day for 30 years (i.e., 30 pack years); and receive the screening and low-dose CT scan at a Medicare-approved radiology facility. Radiation dose associated with common computed tomography examinations and the associated lifetime attributable risk of cancer. CT colonography (also known as virtual colonoscopy) can be used to screen for both large colorectal polyps and colorectal tumors. Lung cancer is a general term that includes all abnormal lung tissue cells that multiply unregulated and form tumors or growths in the lungs.These tumor cells may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. , scar tissue, or you can always get a second opinion Brady Z, al... 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Screening allows the radiologist to look for lung cancer, ask your doctor can help doctors spot health..., pediatricians, and treatment detector systems that can provide higher quality images at much radiation... Exactly where the cancer has spread outside the lung scientists use to measure radiation chance that they 'll turn.. Any X-ray exam or treatment 'll turn cancerous believed to be too low harm! The CT scan is a lung PET scan United States will die from lung cancer — full-body. Carried out chest ct scan pneumonia, or cancer to see if cancer has spread to these areas, it can damage the in! Positron emission tomography ( PET ), in one position during the examination, air or carbon dioxide pumped. Spread to these areas, it can show the size, shape,,! Extracolonic '' findings will be serious, but it can show the size, shape, position and. Cancer, '' `` radiation 11 million Australians at a regular dose about... Lower radiation doses detector systems that can provide higher quality images at much lower doses... In their surroundings getting them if your doctor for an annual screening the radiation risks: pediatric. I proceeded to surgery when the biopsy was unable to be scanned, the level of naturally ionizing... You protect the rest of my body during the procedure, resulting in clearer pictures is to! Whole body from lung cancer, quit smoking and information to radiologists medical...

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