RT 208

HEMATOLOGIC
EFFECTS
HEMATOPOIETIC Bone marrow, circulating blood

and lymphoid tissue (lymph nodes,

SYSTEM spleen and thymus.)

Depressed number of blood cells:

principal effect of radiation

Spleen and thymus: manufacture

lymphocyte

Bone marrow: most circulating

blood cells are manufactured

Pluripotent stem cell: hematopoietic

cells are from

RT 208
 PLURIPOTENT STEM
CELLS PRODUCES:

Lymphocytes Granulocytes
(immune response)
(scavenger)

Thrombocytes
(platelets involved
Erythrocytes
in clotting of blood
(transportation
to prevent
agents for oxygen)
hemorrhage)
 2 TYPES OF
BONE MARROW:
Red marrow
Large number of stem cells along with fat

cells

Mature functional cells

In adults, ribs, ends of long bones, vertebrae,

sternum and skull

Yellow marrow
Fat cells with few stem cells

Does not deliver mature cells to the

circulating blood

RT 208 Fatty marrow

 Low Dose
Slight decrease
Recover within few weeks postexposure

Moderate and High Dose

More depletion
Longer recovery period or less recovery
a permanent decrease of stem cells

Principal response of bone

marrow to radiation is

RT 208 Decrease stem cells number

Erythroblasts
precursor cells for RBCs
Most radiosensitive

Myelocytes
precursors for WBCs
Moderately sensitive

Megakaryocytes
precursors for platelets
Least radiosensitive
Lymphocytes
First to reduce (lymphopenia)
As low as 10 rads
Low dose, minimal depression and recovers
Moderate dose, approach zero within few days and full
recovery after a few months (slow to recover)

Neutrophils
Second to reduce
50 rads
1 week, count falls
Recovers shortly thereafter and within a few days,
followed by full recovery within a few months
postexposure
Granulocytes
Rapid rise in number (granulocytosis) after exposure

Followed by a rapid decrease and then a slower

decrease in number (granulocytopenia)

Moderate dose – rise may occur 15-20 days after

Platelets and RBCs

Last to respond

Greater than 50 rads

Thrombocytopenia
Low doses, negligible effects
Depletion of platelets
Higher doses, cell depression
30 days and recover in
Recovers 4 weeks post exposure
about 2 months