Doctors sometimes use strontium-90 in medicine primarily because it emits beta radiation, which can be harnessed for targeted therapeutic purposes, especially in treating certain eye conditions and superficial tumors. Strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope that produces beta particles—high-energy electrons—that penetrate tissues only to a limited depth, making it useful for localized treatment without affecting deeper tissues.
One of the main medical uses of strontium-90 is in ophthalmology. It has been employed as a source of beta radiation to treat external ocular diseases such as pterygium (a benign growth on the eye’s surface) and conjunctival tumors. The advantage here lies in the nature of beta radiation: it delivers energy superficially with precise localization, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This precision helps control abnormal cell growth on or near the eye’s surface while reducing side effects compared to other forms of radiation[2].
Strontium-90 also plays an important role indirectly through its decay product yttrium-90, which is widely used in cancer therapy. Yttrium-90 is produced by separating it from strontium-90 sources and then used as a radiopharmaceutical for internal radiotherapy targeting cancers such as liver tumors or bone metastases. This approach leverages the radioactive decay chain where strontium acts as a “parent” isotope supplying yttrium for therapeutic use[1].
In nuclear medicine more broadly, isotopes related to strontium are utilized for palliative treatment—especially when cancer has spread to bones causing pain and fractures. While strontium-89 (a different isotope) is more commonly cited here, understanding that radioisotopes like these emit targeted radiation helps explain why doctors value them: they can relieve symptoms by selectively irradiating affected bone areas without systemic toxicity[3].
The physical properties of strontium-90 make it suitable not only medically but also industrially; however, its medical application hinges on controlled delivery systems like applicators designed specifically for safe handling and precise dosing. These devices allow clinicians to apply beta radiation directly onto affected tissues with minimal exposure risk elsewhere[2]. Such careful design reduces complications but requires awareness about potential side effects like cataracts when used near sensitive organs such as eyes.
In summary:
– **Strontium-90 emits beta particles** ideal for superficial treatments.
– It’s mainly used **in ophthalmology** to treat external eye conditions due to its shallow penetration.
– It serves as a **source material** for producing yttrium-90, which treats internal cancers via radiopharmaceuticals.
– Its controlled application allows doctors to deliver effective doses locally while sparing healthy tissue.
This unique combination of physical characteristics and biological effects explains why doctors sometimes choose strontium‑90 in specific medical contexts where precision and safety are paramount.
