CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF RADIATION ACCIDENT VICTIMS FOR STEM-CELL TRANSPLANTATION

The management of acute radiation syndrome in persons inadvertently ex posed to total-body irradiation greatly benefits from the experience g ained in previous clinical management situations. Within the framework of exposure to high doses, one of the most critical issues is the que stion of whether hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is indicated. A valid answer can be given with appropriate accuracy based on a thor ough analysis and evaluation of all accessible case histories. Based o n the clinical evaluation of patients severely affected with acute rad iation syndrome, the following recommendations may be issued. There is limited indication for stem cell transplantation when there is accomp anying severe radiation damage to organ systems other than the hematop oietic system. The optimum duration of pancytopenia can be estimated u sing the biomathematical model introduced in this article.