Long-term cytogenetic effects of chronic occupational irradiation

Status of chromosomal apparatus of lymphocytes of peripheral blood was estimated in 134 patients with chronic radiation sickness caused by external gamma-radiation in 30-35 years after establishing the diagnosis. Increased rate of aberrant cells with structural chromosomal aberrations compared to the baseline was found in the majority of the examined people. A half of chromosomal aberrations were rearrangements of stable type. 20-year dynamic examination showed long-term retaining of chromosomal aberrations with gradual increase in a fraction of stable aberrations in their structure.