Acute radiation damage is most
prominent in tissues containing
rapidly proliferating cells, such
as the epithelial surfaces of
the skin and alimentary tract.
Radiobiological damage affects the
regeneration of the skin through
the process of repair, redistribution,
repopulation and reoxygenation.
Damaged cells are replaced by cells
moving from the resting phase into
the active cycle (repopulation).
However, when the rate of
repopulation of basal cells cannot
match the rate of cell destruction
by treatment, skin damage occurs,
resulting in an acute radiation skin
reaction (Stone et al, 2003).