Internal radiation therapy, also known as brachytherapy, is considered more precise than external beam radiation because the radioactive source is placed directly inside or very close to the tumor. This proximity allows a high dose of radiation to be delivered…
Radioactive isotopes can indeed be used in breast cancer therapy, primarily through a specialized form of treatment known as radiopharmaceutical therapy or targeted radionuclide therapy. This approach involves using radioactive substances that are designed to specifically target cancer cells, delivering…
The reason radioactive isotopes, particularly radioactive iodine (like iodine-131), “attack” only the thyroid gland lies in the unique biology and physiology of the thyroid itself. The thyroid gland is the only organ in the human body that actively absorbs and…
Iodine-131 (I-131) treatment is a common and effective therapy used primarily for thyroid conditions, including hyperthyroidism and certain types of thyroid cancer. It works by delivering targeted radioactive iodine to thyroid cells, which absorb iodine naturally. The radiation then destroys…
Doctors sometimes avoid using isotope therapy in younger patients primarily because of the **higher risks of long-term side effects and complications** associated with radiation exposure at a young age. Isotope therapy, which often involves radioactive substances to target and kill…
Radiation exposure from therapy, such as cancer radiotherapy, can indeed be measured afterward, though the methods and precision vary depending on what exactly is being measured and when. Traditionally, radiation dose during therapy is carefully planned and monitored in real…
When radioactive iodine leaks into the bloodstream outside the thyroid gland, it can cause a range of biological effects depending on how much radioactive iodine is present, how long it remains in the body, and which tissues it interacts with.…
Some cancers require **external radiation therapy** instead of treatment with radioactive isotopes (internal radiation) because of differences in tumor location, size, accessibility, and how the cancer cells receive blood supply. External beam radiation delivers high-energy rays from outside the body…
Radioactive isotopes, also known as radioisotopes, are atoms that emit radiation as they decay. While their use in cancer treatment is well-known—such as targeting tumors with radioactive iodine or beta-emitting isotopes—they can also be used to treat certain non-cancer diseases.…
Radiation kills cancer faster than it causes cancer primarily because of the way it damages cells and how cancer cells differ from normal cells in their ability to repair that damage. Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves, such as…