Radiation toxicology: carcinogenesis

Despite intensive research and the development of a remarkable body of information about the effects of radiation of different qualities, there is still no absolute agreement on how radiation kills cells or induces tumors. Experimental radiation carcinogenesis demonstrates that there are a considerable number of factors that influence both the initial events that lead to cancer and the expression of those events. It is clear that the dose rate and the LET of the radiation influence the induction of the initial events. The factors that influence the expression and therefore the actual incidence of cancer, are multiple and include endogenous factors such as hormones. (Auth.)