The use of nuclear technology in the field of medicine is the latest in the field of medical treatment used for certain types of medical intervention through the use of radioisotopes.
So what are radioisotopes ?
Radioactive isotopes, also known as radioisotopes, are forms of chemical elements generated by the natural breakdown of atoms. Though radiation exposure is generally seen as harmful to human health, these isotopes hold significant value in medicine, particularly for diagnosing and treating diseases.
Nuclear medicine makes use of radioisotopes in numerous ways. One widespread application is as a tracer: a radioisotope, such as technetium-99m, is administered orally, via injection, or inhalation into the body.
Function of tracers…
The tracer then either circulates throughout the body or is absorbed specifically by certain tissues. Its movement within the body is tracked by the radiation it emits, which can be detected using imaging techniques like single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET)—the method chosen depends on the particular radioisotope used. Through these scans, doctors can assess blood flow to specific organs, evaluate organ function, or monitor bone growth. Most radioisotopes have short half-lives, ensuring they decay before their emitted radiation could harm the patient.
Uses of radioisotopes
In therapeutic contexts, radioisotopes are primarily used to destroy targeted cells. This principle is central to radiotherapy, a common treatment for cancer and conditions involving abnormal tissue growth, like hyperthyroidism. For cancer patients, the tumor is exposed to ionizing radiation, often delivered as beams of subatomic particles (e.g., protons, neutrons, alpha, or beta particles.
These particles directly damage the atomic or molecular structure of the targeted tissue. Ionizing radiation breaks the double-stranded DNA molecule, leading to cancer cell death and halting their replication. While radiotherapy often causes uncomfortable side effects, it is generally effective at slowing cancer progression or, in some cases, even shrinking malignant tumors.