What can be a consequence of DNA damage induced by radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy works by inducing DNA damage in tumor cells, which is a critical mechanism for its effectiveness in cancer treatment. The correct consequence of this DNA damage is cell death. When DNA is damaged beyond the cell's ability to repair it, the cell is likely to enter apoptosis, a programmed cell death process. This pathway is selectively beneficial in targeting cancer cells, as they often proliferate rapidly and may not have the same efficient repair mechanisms as normal cells.

Cell death as a direct result of DNA damage is crucial for diminishing the tumor burden and shrinking the tumor size. While all cells have some capacity for DNA repair, extensive damage inflicted by radiation can overwhelm the cell's repair systems, leading to failure and ultimately resulting in cell death. This understanding is fundamental in oncology since maximizing tumor cell death while minimizing harm to surrounding healthy tissues is a primary goal of radiation therapy.

In contrast, while increased tumor recurrence, enhanced cell repair, and altered tumor markers can be eventual outcomes or effects of different treatments or circumstances, they are not direct consequences of DNA damage specifically induced by radiation therapy.