Mechanism of total body irradiation in lymphoma. A hypothesis.
A previously proposed theory of lymphoma pathogenesis is discussed and extended to assist in the formulation of a hypothesis for the mechanism of low dose systemic irradiation of lymphoma. It is proposed that masses of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may not necessarily be truly autonomous neoplasms, and that low dose total body irradiation may be effective in such cases through a cytotoxic action on more radiation sensitive precursor cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow.
D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000528:radiation effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000528:radiation effects; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000528:radiation effects; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation