Besides iodine-131, several other radioactive isotopes are commonly used in cancer therapy, each with unique properties that make them suitable for targeting specific types of tumors or cancer cells. These isotopes deliver radiation directly to cancerous tissues, minimizing damage to…
PET scans use radioactive tracers because these tracers emit positrons that enable the scanner to create detailed images of metabolic processes inside the body, such as glucose metabolism in tissues. The tracers are designed to target specific biological functions, allowing…
Radioactive isotopes are indeed used both in medical diagnostics and treatment, playing a crucial dual role in modern healthcare. These isotopes, often called radiopharmaceuticals when used medically, emit radiation that can be detected by imaging devices or can destroy diseased…
Beta particles emitted by iodine-131 kill thyroid tissue primarily because iodine-131 is selectively taken up by the thyroid gland, and its radioactive decay releases beta radiation that damages the cells in close proximity. Iodine-131 behaves chemically like stable iodine, so…
Alpha, beta, and gamma radiation are three distinct types of radioactive emissions that differ fundamentally in their biological effects due to their unique physical properties and modes of interaction with living tissue. **Alpha radiation** consists of heavy, positively charged particles…
The type of radiation used in medicine is fundamentally different from the radioactive fallout released during the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, both in its nature and application. Medical radiation primarily involves controlled, targeted use of ionizing radiation such as X-rays, gamma…
Radiation can both cause and treat thyroid cancer because of the unique way thyroid cells interact with radioactive substances and how radiation affects DNA. The thyroid gland naturally absorbs iodine from the bloodstream to produce thyroid hormones. This iodine uptake…
Radioactive isotopes can indeed be used in the treatment of brain tumors, offering a targeted approach that combines therapy and imaging to improve precision and effectiveness. This method leverages the unique properties of radioactive materials to deliver radiation directly to…
Patients are isolated after certain radiation treatments primarily because some types of radiation therapy involve radioactive materials that can emit radiation outside the patient’s body, posing a risk of exposure to others. This isolation is a safety measure designed to…
Radioactive iodine does make a patient temporarily radioactive after treatment, but this radioactivity is limited in duration and intensity. When a patient receives radioactive iodine—commonly iodine-131—for medical purposes such as treating thyroid conditions or certain cancers, the radioactive material emits…