[The effects of low radiation doses: carcinogenesis]

Strahlenther Onkol. 1994 Dec;170(12):681-8.
[Article in German]

Abstract

In the low dose range such radiation risks, cf. the induction of cancer, have to be considered for which the lack of a threshold dose is assumed. The most important epidemiological data for cancer risk after irradiation come from the survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In the dose range below 100 mSv no increase of cancer rate can be observed in the total population with all age groups. Therefore the risk has to be estimated in the low dose range by extrapolation. Experimental studies of the mechanism of carcinogenesis have to clarify the question of a threshold dose. The variability of individual radiosensitivity is of great significance. After radiation exposures certain patterns of damage have been observed on the DNA. These phenomena may open the possibility to better recognize radiation-induced tumors in the low dose range.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Leukemia, Radiation-Induced / etiology*
  • Leukemia, Radiation-Induced / mortality
  • Male
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / etiology*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / mortality
  • Nuclear Warfare
  • Radiation Tolerance
  • Risk Factors