Sensitivity of various organs of the body

Atoms

Molecules

Cells

Tissue

Organs

Whole body
 Factors affecting CELLULAR responses

Physical Biological Environmental

Factors Factors Factors

Types of cells Radiation

Type of radiation
Activeness in Sensitizers
(LET, RBE), dose,
cell division and
dose rates, dose
protectors,
fractionation Stages in the cell OER
cycle
 Not all living cells are equally sensitive to
radiation
 Those cells which are actively reproducing are
more sensitive than those which are not
◦ Law of Bergonie and Tribondeau
 Types of tissue
◦ Epithelial tissue
 Covers body surface and lines hollow organs, body
cavities and ducts
◦ Connective tissue
 Protects and supports the body and organs
 Helps provide immunity to disease-causing organisms
◦ Muscle tissue
 Generates the physical force needed to make body
structures move
◦ Nervous tissue
 Detects the changes of body ad responds by
generating nerve impulses
 Is the most abundant and widely distributed
tissues in the body.
 Consists of two elements:
◦ Matrix
 Fills the spaces between cells
 Protein-based fibers and ground substance
◦ Cells
 Fibroblasts
 Macrophages
 Plasma cells
 Mast cells
 Adipocytes
 White blood cells
 Stroma (=bed or covering)
◦ Network of reticular fibers in matrix of connective
tissue
◦ Acts as supporting framework of many soft organs
◦ Helps form the basement membrane
 Parenchyma
◦ The functional parts of any organ
 New cells are originated by cell division from
stroma (connective tissue) and parenchyma.
 STEM CELLS

UNDIFFERENTIATED

IMMATURE
Lymphocytes

Depends on the
Reproductive capacity of the stem
cells
cells & GI cells

Nerve &
muscle cells
 • Whole body absorbed dose: 3-5 Gy

Bone • Time of death after exposure: 30 – 60

days
marrow

• Whole body absorbed dose: 5-15 Gy

GIT and • Time of death after exposure: 10 – 20 days
lungs

• Whole body absorbed dose: > 15 Gy

Nervous • Time of death after exposure: 1 - 5 days
system
 Physical

% survivor cells
◦ LET (linear energy transfer):  RS
 LET
◦ Dose rate:  RS
 LET
 Chemical
◦ Increase RS: OXYGEN, cytotoxic drugs.
◦ Decrease RS: SULFURE
 Biological G0
◦ Cycle status: M

  RS: G2, M G2 G1

  RS: S
◦ Repair of damage (sub-lethal damage
may be repaired e.g. fractionated dose)
S
 Total dose
 Type of cell
 Type of radiation
 Age of individual HOW
 Stage of cell division
 Part of body exposed
 Tissue volume exposed
 3
3
2.5
2.5
2
2
1.5
1.5
1
1
0.5
0.5
0
Acute 0
Time Time
exposure Acute
Prolonged exposure
with high dose
with lower dose rate Fractionated dose
dose rate
 Blood forming cells
 Muscle cells
 How about tumour cells?
 Alpha
 Beta
 X-ray and gamma
 LET
 Young
 Adult
http://www.citruscollege.edu/pic/46/c08_10.jpg
Relative
Survivability

G1 S G2 M G1
G1of cells irradiated in different phases of the cell cycle.
Relative survivability
Synchronised cells in late G2 and in mitosis (M) showed greatest sensitivity
to cell killing.

- 19 Module Medical VIII.

 Collimation is important