Stochastic effects are characterized by which of the following?

Stochastic effects in radiology refer to effects that occur by chance and whose probability increases with exposure to ionizing radiation, without a specific threshold dose. This means that as the dose of radiation increases, the likelihood of developing such effects, which can include cancer or genetic mutations, also increases. However, the severity of these effects does not depend on the amount of radiation received; instead, they only reflect an increased probability of occurrence.

This characteristic makes stochastic effects distinct from deterministic effects, which are related to dose and severity—where there is a threshold dose required for their manifestation, and their severity is proportional to the dose received. Understanding this distinction is crucial in radiology, particularly when assessing risks associated with exposure to radiation in clinical and diagnostic settings.