CNuclear+Medicine

=__Nuclear Medicine: Radioisotopes for Diagnosis and Treatment__= == = = =Name of radioactive isotope/electromagnetic radiation:= The beta and gamma decay of nearly a hundred radioisotopes are used in diagnosis, treatment, and research of nuclear medicine. One of the most used in the US today is Technetium-99 = = = = =Explanation of interesting facts:= = = =Advantages of using the radioactive isotope/radiation/benefits of discovery:= 1. Iodine-131 is used to diagnose and treat thyroid disorders. 2. Cobalt-60 emits gamma rays which are used to destroy cancer cells. 3. PET scans are used to observe the function of specific organs rather than the anatomical structure as in MRI scans.
 * 1) The most-used isotopes were discovered by Ernest Lawrence and applied in medicine by is brother John Lawrence before World War II.
 * 2) Some of the best-known radioisotopes are Iodine-131, Cobalt-60, Technetium-99, and Cesium-137 discovered by Glenn Seaborg and his coworkers.
 * 3) Positron-emitting radioisotopes such as Caron-11, Nitrogen-13, Oxygen-15, and Flourine-18 are used in Position Emission Tomography(PET) which involves injecting the radioisotope where it accumulates in the target tissue. As it decays, it releases a positron which collides with an electron which releases two gamma rays in opposite directions. A PET camera detects the gamma rays and give a precise indication of their origin.
 * 4) Boron Neutron Capture Therapy(BNCT) is under development to treat a form of brain cancer that is almost impossible to treat using currently available means.
 * 5) People undergoing radiation therapy for cancer suffer hair-loss and nausea because the fast-dividing cells of their hair roots and stomach lining are strongly affected by treatment.

=Disadvantages of using the radioactive isotope/radiation/discovery:= 1. Current radioisotope treatment for cancer doesn't discriminate between healthy cells and cancerous cells. 2. Fast-dividing cells in the body are strongly affected by radiation. 3. PET scans aren't offered in most medical centers as they are very expensive and cyclotrons, the machines that create the radioisotopes necessary, are also expensive.

=Is the radioactive isotope/radiation/discovery still used today? Explain= These procedures are used today in treatment and diagnosis of various cancers, brain, bone, liver, spleen, kidney, lung, and thyroid imaging, and blood-flow studies.

=References= //__@http://www.lbl.gov/abc/wallchart/chapters/13/2.html__// ** //@http://www.radiochemistry.org/nuclearmedicine/radioisotopes/01_isotopes.shtml// __//http://health.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-medicine.htm/printable // //@http://www.radiology-info.org/nuclear-medicine-positron-emission-tomography/pros-consside-effects.html//__

Diagram/image** Source: //__@http://www.lbl.gov/abc/wallchart/chapters/13/2.html__//