Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine began in the 1950s when scientists discovered that radiation could be used to diagnose and treat problems with the thyroid. Today, nuclear medicine is widely used for many diagnostic reasons and in the treatment and cure of diseases.
Nuclear Testing and Diagnosis
Computed X-ray tomography (CT) scans work by using nuclear tracers to emit gamma rays within the body. These inert isotopes can be introduced into the body by injection, inhalation or oral ingestion. Once in the body, special cameras are able to pick up on the emitted gamma rays and allow photos of the specific organ or part of the body that can show problems or growths, such as cancer.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is more recently developed and much more precise. Isotopes are created in a cyclotron and then these positron-emitting radionuclides are injected into the body. These gravitate to the organ in question and then begin to quickly decay. They emit a positron and an electron from inside the body and two very distinct gamma rays that the PET scan can take images from. This photo can then be analyzed to determine what kind of problem is in the organ. This process is considered to be the least invasive way of determining cardiac conditions, problems in the brain and most often, cancer.
How Radiation Works on Cancer Cells
Rapidly developing cells, as cancer cells can be, are very sensitive to radiation. External radiation can many times inhibit the growth of some cancer cells. This radiation style has been around for quite some time and can be extremely effective with the right cancers. This is done with a radioactive cobalt source, essentially aiming the radiation toward the area of the body where the cancer is forming.
Other cancers, like thyroid or breast cancer can best be treated by inserting a small radioactive source, like a gamma ray or beta inhibitor into the target area or organ through a catheter. This is extremely localized and effective cancer treatment and is used because of the success rate and overall lower cost to patients.
Both of these types of treatment can be used with little threat of radiation overdose or problems from the radiation itself. The doses overall are so low that they are comparable to the normal rate of exposure most Americans have to radiation through X-rays and environmental exposure.
New technologies are being perfected, such as Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT), that work on cancers that have spread throughout the body. Boron Neutron Capture Therapy that is proving effective on malignant brain tumors.
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