Radiosensitivity and recovery potential of human blood-forming tissues. Comparison of malignant and nonmalignant states

Peripheral WBC response was studied in patients exposed to total body irradiation for chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic lymphatic leukemia, lymphosarcoma, and diseases having no direct effect on blood-forming tissues. With use of the WBC count at the nadir as a function of exposure level and time, it was determined that no significant radiosensitivity differences exist among the disease states of tissues giving rise to peripheral WBC. The data support the proposal that fractionation of the total exposure can preferentially allow recovery of normal tissues.