Wllthe damaze is spotty in character with areas of damage surrounded by rela~
tively ncrmal tisaue.
The histcpathological changes induced in the skin by faliout in the
Marshallese lesions were studied in section of a number of biopsies taken
during the first 7 weeks, at 6 months and at 2 years.
changes can be found elsewhere (Conard et ai.).
seen are summarized below.
Details of these
Some of the major chanzes
During the early,acute period of the lesions,
the epidermis showed marked damage characterized by atrophy and flattening
of the rete pegs with disorganization of mailpigian and basal layers and
marked cellular changes (pleomorphic nuclei, pyknosig and cytoplasmic halos).
Additional features were atrophy or absence of the stratum granulosum, im
perfect keratinization, and loose fibrillation and hyperkeratosis of the
stratum corneum.
Celis laden with pigment were frequently present through~
out the epidermis.
In the dermis the changes were largely confined to the
upper part with edema, telangiectasis of vessels with perivascular infile
tration of lymphocytes.
Chromatophores filled with melanin were prominent.
Fig. 10 shows scme of these changes in a pigmented lesion biopsied 3 weeks
after exposure.
By six months there was ccnsiderable improvement in the histological
appearance of the lesions.
in v.rying degrees:
The following changes were found to persist
focal atrophy of the stratum granulosum, slight focal
pigmentary disturbances in cells of the basal layer, and slight disturbances
in polarity of the epithelial cells in basal papiliary projections.
In the
dermis, telangiectasia of slight to moderate degree persisted.
At two years, biopsies at sites of persistent gross abnormalities re~
vealed that none of the Jesions were necplastic or showed alterations suggestive of a precancerous condition.
In scme sections, acanthosis, absence