Ionizing Radiation: Biologic Effects and Essential Cell and Tissue Biology

The main tool in nuclear medicine is ionizing radiation; therefore, it is important for its users to be familiar with its biological effects and its pathophysiological basis. Ionization is the process of ion production by ejection of electrons from atoms and molecules after exposure to high temperature, electrical discharges, or electromagnetic and nuclear radiation. Ionizing radiation is subdivided into electromagnetic radiation (X-rays and gamma rays) and particulate radiation including neutrons and charged particles (alpha and beta particles). The human body contains trillions of cells that are generated by repeated division from a single precursor cell. They constitute clones. With proliferation, some of the cells become differentiated from others, adopting a different structure, different chemistry, and different function. Ionizing radiation can induce damages in irradiated cells, tissues, and organs, causing detrimental functional changes and may eventually lead to cancer. It is thus essential to consider the assorted radiobiology in all diagnostic applications of radiation. Moreover, as ionizing radiation can also lead directly to cell death, it is also essential to consider all the radiobiological aspects of cell killing in all types of radiation therapy. Additionally, psychological and cognitive effects are recognized and must be considered.

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  1. Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait Abdelhamid H. Elgazzar
  1. Abdelhamid H. Elgazzar
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Elgazzar, A.H. (2023). Ionizing Radiation: Biologic Effects and Essential Cell and Tissue Biology. In: Synopsis of Pathophysiology in Nuclear Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20646-7_2

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