[Management of radiation injuries--new organization, new guidelines]

The medical management of radiation accident victims is based on a rapid assessment and reconstruction of the radiation dose and quality combined with prompt, targeted treatment efforts performed at specialized medical units. To facilitate such medical emergency preparedness in Sweden, the National Board of Health and Welfare has recently established a new Centre for Radiation Medicine, located at the Karolinska institute in Stockholm. Among the tasks of this centre are also to contribute with health care information, education, advice and carry out research activities in areas related to medical effects of ionizing radiation. A close collaboration is being established with the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority and also with various other national and international bodies. The initiation of the Centre for Radiation Medicine comes in parallel with a rapid development of the understanding of and treatment options for patients acquiring an acute radiation syndrome, mainly due to improved diagnostic procedures combined with novel therapeutic options, such as stem cell transplantation and cytokine administration.