NEET PG / USMLE – MCQ 36

A 35-year-old man who works at a facility processing highly radioactive substances accidentally receives a high, whole-body dose of ionizing radiation estimated to be 1500 rads (15 gray). He dies 1 week later. At autopsy, histologic examination of the skin shows scattered, individual epidermal cells with shrunken, markedly eosinophilic cytoplasm and pyknotic, fragmented nuclei. These morphologic changes most likely indicate which of the following processes?
A. Apoptosis
B. Coagulation necrosis
C. Liquefaction necrosis
D. Mutagenesis
E. Tumor initiation

Correct answer : A. Apoptosis

The histologic features are characteristic of apoptosis.