• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 1986

Optimal balance between control probability and risk of complication is emphasized even in present time, Although certain incidence of intestinal injury is accepted as an inevitable consequence after abdominopelvic irradiation, these complications still remain as problems. 60 mice were irradiated with 250 kVp orthovoltage x-ray machine and $200rad{\times}5/wk$ regimen. Histpathologic findings of colorectum and the relationship with occult blood test were analyzed and possible tolerable dose which would be safe from permanent complication was also estimated. Followings are the results: Mild mucosal and submucosal edema were observed in 1,000 rad irradiated group. Congestion of small vessels was prominent in 2,000 rad irradiated group and infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed in 3,000 rad irradiated group. Denuded mucosa was observed in 3,000 rad irradiated group. Occult blood test is not a proper indicator for rectal denuding or rectal ulcer, but our results suggest the possibility of using this as a relative scale of intestinal damage. Mitotic figures of crypt cells were observed even in 5,000 rad irradiated group, these suggest that the repair capacity of crypt cells are still functioning.