ABSTRACT
The cytopathologic changes observed in irradiated cells, even among cells of the same kind and the same irradiated cell population, are numerous, highly varied, and complex. Early interphase cell necrosis has been attributed to a relatively general denaturation of cellular components, and requires for most cell types much larger doses than does mitosis-linked necrosis. The radiation killing of cells has often been attributed to chromosomal damage. Although such damage undoubtedly may reduce the viability of cells, it is probably not the only mechanism of radiation necrosis of cells. The radiation killing of cells has often been attributed to chromosomal damage. Although such damage undoubtedly may reduce the viability of cells, it is probably not the only mechanism of radiation necrosis of cells. One of the most dramatic effects of irradiation of cells is the disassociation of cell division from cell growth, which may result in the production of very large mononu-cleated cells.
