Question

What is the use of radioisotopes in the medical field?

Answer 1

Radioisotopes:

The chemical element with its unstable form breaks down to its stable form and as a result of this, the isotopes release radiation.

Applications of radioisotopes in the medical field:

1. Imaging and diagnostic purposes- Radioisotopes play important role in the diagnostic field along with imaging devices; for example, technetium-99 (Tc-99) is a widely used radioisotope for diagnostic purposes.
2. Radioisotope therapy- Radioisotopes are vastly used for the treatment of various cancers in the body and are now a routine procedure in treating cancer patients; for example, Iodine-131is used to treat thyroid cancers and, disorders, Strontium-89 and Samarian-153 are used for treating metastatic bone cancers.
3. Treatment for autoimmune disorders- Radioisotopes can also be used for treating a variety of autoimmune disorders along with respective drugs; for example, Radioiodine ((131)I) is used for treating autoimmune hyperthyroidism.