Experiences with accidents and consequences for treatment

The clinical appearance and the typical course of the reaction of skin exposed in radiation accidents differ from those reactions observed in radiation therapy. In accidental situations the exposed person receives a single overexposure of relatively high dose and the area is usually limited. The clinical outcome can range from simple erythema to moist desquamation and severe necrosis. The typical reaction of the skin and the underlying tissue follows the pattern, which is well known as acute, subacute and chronic periods of radiodermatitis. The degree of radiation effects on the skin depends mainly on the radiation dose, the radiation quality, the time over which the dose is administered, the irradiated area and the anatomical site. The treatment should begin immediately after radiation exposure, if pathological conditions are expected. (author)