[Theoretical model of radiation-induced cancer]

A model of the dose dependence of the incidence of radiation-induced malignant tumors is proposed to provide a reliable estimation of the carcinogenic risk from low-level radiation. The model describes three main routs (cellular, tissue and system ones) by which radiation influences carcinogenesis. In terms of the two-stage theory of carcinogenesis, the first route deals with the initiating effect of radiation, and the second and third routs, with its promotion action. The proposed model gives a satisfactory combined description of the leukaemogenic effect of gamma-rays and neutrons. A theoretical explanation is presented of the differences in the pattern of the dose dependences of the yield of similar forms of the induced cancer exhibited by radiosensitive and radioresistant animal strains.