Low-Dose radiation risk in medicine - a look at risk models, challenges, and future prospects

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys

Ionizing radiation in medical diagnostics and treatments has transformed healthcare, while also requiring rigorous understanding of its risks. This review summarizes the radiobiology underlying radiation risk and traces the evolution of radiation risk models, emphasizing challenges and inherent uncertainties. It analyzes how technological and methodological progress shapes radiation protection practice and informs risk assessments, supporting safer application of low-dose exposures. Searches were conducted in Google Scholar and PubMed.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Underlying Radiobiology of Radiation Risk

Zeitschrift für Medizinische Physik 35 (2025) 393–400 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Zeitschrift für Medizinische Physik journal [homepage:](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/zemedi)[ www.elsevier.com/locate/zemedi](homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/zemedi) | Low-Dose radiation risk in medicine: a look at risk models, challenges, and future prospects
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Forough Jafarian-Dehkordi , Christoph Hoeschen
Chair of Medical System Technology, Institute for Medical Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Otto von Guericke University, Germany | | | | --- | --- | --- | | A R T I C L E I N F O | | A B S T R A C T | | Keywords:
ionizing radiation radiation risk
risk models radiation protection uncertainty | | The application of ionizing radiation in medical diagnostics and treatments has been transformative in advancing healthcare for the benefit of patients. However, with these advancements comes the need to understand and mitigate the risks of ionizing radiation. While the role of radiation in medicine is undeniable, its potential to induce malignancies and genetic alterations requires careful application and understanding. This review providesan overview about the radiobiology of radiation risk, and then go through the evolution, challenges, and inherent uncertainties surrounding radiation risk models. In the end, it looks at the impact of the technological and methodological progress that has influenced the radiation protection and shapes our understanding of radiation risk. The search for references was conducted in Google Scholar and PubMed using the keywords ’low radiation,’’radiation risk,’ ’risk models,’ ’radiation protection,’ and ’uncertainty.’ | Introduction Radiation protection is essential in medical diagnostics and treatments. With the increasing use of radiological methods in contemporary medicine, understanding and reducing the dangers of ionizing radiation has become paramount. Each exposure to radiation, even if minimal, potentially carries an inherent risk. This risk, primarily the potential for malignancies or genetic alterations, emphasizes the need for careful use of radiation in medical environments. The primary goal is to maximize the benefits of radiation while minimizing its risks to patients and medical staff. Risk models are important in the field of radiation safety, offering a structured approach to predict health implications from radiation exposure. For instance, the Linear No-Threshold (LNT) model, as the commonly used model, translates radiation doses into quantifiable health risks. These models are helpful in establishing radiation safety standards, directing medical procedures, and shape health regulations. They provide a connection between radiation exposure metrics and decisions based on evidence, ensuring healthcare professionals prioritize patient safety. This review explores radiation risk models and their scientific foundations, examines historical progression of radiation protection practices, and discusses the uncertainties and challenges associated with risk models’ application in radiological protection and risk management. It is important to clarify that this review excludes radiotherapy from its scope, as the focus is on low-dose radiation exposure in diagnostic imaging. By concentrating on diagnostic applications, the review aims to shed light on the evolving strategies and advancements that enhance our understanding and management of radiation risks in this particular context. Underlying Radiobiology of Radiation Risk The interaction of ionizing X-ray and gamma photons with living cells initiates a cascade of damage and defense processes. Primary ionizations can directly break chemical bonds in critical biomolecules like DNA, but, at low doses, indirect effects via water radiolysis dominate. In this process, X-rays and gamma photons excite and ionize water molecules within milliseconds, generating reactive

FAQs

Why is low-dose ionizing radiation risk considered important in medicine?

Medical diagnostics and treatments require ionizing radiation, but each exposure—despite being minimal—can carry a risk of malignancies or genetic alterations, making careful use essential.

What role do radiation risk models play in radiation safety?

Risk models provide a structured way to predict health implications from radiation exposure and help translate dose into quantifiable risk for standards, procedure guidance, and regulations.

What biological mechanisms are discussed for radiation-induced damage at low doses?

The review describes how ionizing X-rays and gamma photons interact with cells, including direct DNA bond disruption and, at low doses, indirect effects dominated by water radiolysis that generates reactive oxygen species.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys