Some patients vomit after radiation therapy primarily because radiation can irritate and damage the tissues in and around the digestive system, triggering nausea and vomiting. This is especially common when radiation targets areas near the stomach, abdomen, or brain, where…
Patient safety when handling isotopes is ensured through a comprehensive system of protocols, engineering controls, protective equipment, training, and monitoring designed to minimize radiation exposure to both patients and healthcare workers. The goal is to safely administer radioactive materials for…
Radiation therapy is a powerful tool in cancer treatment, designed to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA with high-energy rays. It is highly effective for many localized tumors, but there are certain cancer types and situations where radiation can…
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.…