Medicinal Applications of Radioisotopes

Abstract

In the medical field, radioisotopes are used for two distinct functions: diagnosis and therapy. The four main diagnostic radioisotopes are technietium-99m, thallium-201, iodine-123, and gallium-67, which are used to figure out which areas of the body have accumulated ions that indicate sickness. Doctors combine radioisotopes with other chemicals and activate them on the afflicted part of the patient’s body. They also use Single Photon Emission Computer Tomography (SPECT) imaging to emit a single gamma ray into the patient’s body. These tests are used to discover bone tumors. After surgery, these medicines can be used to prevent malignancies from growing again. Even though radioisotopes have many medical advantages, they can also cause cancer themselves. These presentations will provide an overview the many drugs made from radioisotopes examining the long term costs and benefits to human health.