What does LET stand for in radiology?

LET stands for Linear Energy Transfer in radiology. This term describes the amount of energy that an ionizing particle transfers to the material it traverses per unit length. In the context of radiology and radiation therapy, understanding LET is crucial because it helps determine how effectively radiation can cause biological damage to tissues. Higher LET values are associated with greater potential for biological damage since they indicate that the radiation deposits more energy in a smaller area, which can lead to increased cell death or mutations.

This concept is particularly relevant when comparing different types of radiation; for example, alpha particles have a much higher LET than beta particles or gamma rays, which is a critical factor in evaluating the risks and therapeutic benefits of various radiological procedures and treatments.