IONIZING RADIATION AND HUMAN LEUKEMIA
The incidence of leukemia in man and various possible etiologic factors are discussed, including genetic aspects, chemical agents, viruses, and ionizing radiation. The risk is such that at a 100-rad dose level leukemia would be expected to develop in only about one person out of 100 over an average lifetime of the survivors, assuming continuation of past incidence rates. Above 100 rad, the higher the dose, the greater the risk. The induction or latent period between exposure and the appearance of leukemia may be as short as 18 months and as long as 14 yr. Acute leukemia and chronic granulocytic leukemia (but not chronic lymphocytic leukemia) are the hematologic types related to radiation exposure. Although the young may be more susceptible to leukemia as a consequence of irradiation, the question of a higher incidence of luekemia among children who have been exposed to diagnostic x rays in utero remains unsettled. It seems improbable that the present amounts of radiation exposure in the U. S. are playing a significant role in the overall current incidence of leukemia. (P.C.H.)
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Chicago
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-015834
- OSTI ID:
- 4748932
- Journal Information:
- Postgraduate Medicine (U.S.), Vol. Vol: 31; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma mortality (1950–1999) and incidence (1969–1999) in the Eldorado uranium workers cohort
Clinical characteristics of chronic lymphocytic leukemia occurring in chornobyl cleanup workers