5Radiobiology, radiotherapy, and radiation protection
X-ray and gamma ray photons provide unique insights into a patient’s body. However, they can also cause considerable harm to living cells and tissues. The same holds for α, β and other types of particle radiation. The main target for radiation causing biological effects is the carrier of the genetic information, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is located in the nucleus of mammalian cells. Radiation induced DNA damage can kill cells, induce mutations and cause carcinogenesis. Many pioneers of radiology who applied x-rays without caring about radiation protection suffered from serious radiation induced health problems. Awareness for the enormous risks of ionizing radiation has evolved over ...
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