Clinical and experimental observations of peripheral blood leukocytes and nucleated bone marrow cells after local irradiation

• Published in: Minerva medica Vol. 105; no. 1; p. 51
• Main Authors: Zhang, X G, Du, A N, Geng, C, Guo, F, He, M, Gu, F, Wang, J, Song, W B, Xu, H, Sheng, W, Liu, Y, Ye, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy 01.02.2014
• Subjects: Animals; Bone Marrow - diagnostic imaging; Bone Marrow - radiation effects; Bone Marrow Cells - diagnostic imaging; Bone Marrow Cells - radiation effects; Cell Proliferation - radiation effects; Esophageal Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Female; Hodgkin Disease - radiotherapy; Humans; Leukocytes - radiation effects; Leukopenia - etiology; Lung Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Male; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Rabbits; Radionuclide Imaging; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
• ISSN: 0026-4806

Aim of the study was to observe the impact of bone marrow damage induced by local irradiation on leukopenia. For the human study, five cancer patients received local radiation therapy. Bone marrow aspiration was conducted to measure nucleated cell count and 99mTc-Sc sulfur colloid ECT imaging was carried out to examine bone marrow function. For the animal study, fifty New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 3 groups: non-irradiated control group (N.=10), abdomen irradiation group (irradiation area did not cover bone marrow) (N.=20), chest irradiation group (irradiation area covered bone marrow) (N.=20). Nucleated cell counts were taken after confirming onset of leukopenia. Bone marrow of five patients proliferated normally. ECT imaging showed no abnormality in the pattern of red bone marrow distribution. Hematopoietic function was mildly active. Suppressed myeloproliferative function does not fully account for irradiation-induced leukopenia.