The dose-response relation in radiation-induced cancer.

Abstract

Summary Although ionizing radiation can apparently induce neoplasms of virtually all types, the relation between tumor incidence and dose varies, depending on the type of neoplasm, constitution of the host, conditions of irradiation, and other variables. Owing to statistical limitations, however, the existing data fail to provide an unambiguous picture of the dose-response relation for any form of cancer. More adequate data are, therefore, needed not only for estimating the hazards to be expected from small doses of radiation but for analyzing the mechanism of carcinogenesis.