What is a carcinogenic effect of X-rays?

What is a carcinogenic effect of X-rays?

• A. Lung edema
• B. Bone fracture
• C. Thrombocytopenia
• D. Leukaemia

Answer: (D)

X-rays are ionizing radiation, which means they can damage DNA. When DNA in hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow is damaged and misrepaired, those cells can acquire mutations that drive malignant transformation, leading to cancer. Leukemia is the cancer most classically linked to radiation exposure because it arises from those blood-forming cells and can develop after a latency period following exposure. The other options describe non-cancer effects. Lung edema is fluid buildup in the lungs, a problem of circulation or fluid balance rather than cancer. A bone fracture is a physical break in bone tissue from injury. Thrombocytopenia is a low platelet count, often due to marrow suppression or other causes; while radiation can transiently suppress bone marrow and lower counts, that is not a cancerous outcome. So, the cancer-causing consequence of X-rays among these choices is leukemia.

X-rays are ionizing radiation, which means they can damage DNA. When DNA in hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow is damaged and misrepaired, those cells can acquire mutations that drive malignant transformation, leading to cancer. Leukemia is the cancer most classically linked to radiation exposure because it arises from those blood-forming cells and can develop after a latency period following exposure.

The other options describe non-cancer effects. Lung edema is fluid buildup in the lungs, a problem of circulation or fluid balance rather than cancer. A bone fracture is a physical break in bone tissue from injury. Thrombocytopenia is a low platelet count, often due to marrow suppression or other causes; while radiation can transiently suppress bone marrow and lower counts, that is not a cancerous outcome. So, the cancer-causing consequence of X-rays among these choices is leukemia.