[Serving biological dosimetry for 4 decades]

The author provides a comprehensive picture on introduction and application of chromosome biodosimetry in Hungary for measuring and estimation of biological doses of ionizing radiation. She describes different mathematical equations existing between the frequencies of dicentric and ring chromosome aberrations, and the different radiation doses of various radiation sources which form the basis of the method. She presents examples for estimation of biological doses received at radiation accidents, or cumulated during residential and occupational exposures in Hungary. The method of chromosome dosimetry is also offered to be used in radiotherapy because it allows the calculation of whole-body equivalent biological doses, and the determination of individual radiosensitivity as well, which cannot be fully informative by sole physical dose measurements. Dose-effect relationship in partial body irradiation might be affected by not only therapeutic doses, but also the localization and the volume of irradiated area of the body. In case of the same radiation therapy protocols and clinical features of the patients up to 2.5-fold differences in individual radiosensitivity may occur. Finally, the author analyzes the future state of biological dosimetry, the advantages and disadvantages of the methods to ensure determination of individual radiosensitivity, thereby administration of individualized radiotherapy.