RADIOISOTOPES

RESEARCH AND MEDICINE

By: Erika P. Pitoy
R A D I A T I O N

Although radiation can be dangerous and

should always be handled with care, it can be
used safely and is important to many research
procedures. In the field of medicine and
agriculture, the use of radiation can be a great
help for understanding and creating elements
and chemicals used.
S T U D Y O F C H E M I C A L R E A C T I O NS

Radioisotopes called tracers are used to study

chemical reactions and molecular structure.
They are included in one of the reactants of a
chemical reaction. After the reaction, the
radiation of the product is measured to
determine the uptake of the tracer.
S T U D Y O F C H E M I C A L R E A C T I O NS

By comparing this amount with the amount

originally added, much can be learned about
the mechanism of the reaction. This process
will greatly help in understanding reactions
with many steps.
A G R I C U L T U R A L R E S E A R C H

In agriculture, radioisotopes are used in

understanding the effects of herbicides,
pesticides, and fertilizers. Tracers are introduced
to the substance being tested to make them
radioactive. This radioactive substance is then
used in plants. Then, radioactivity of the plants is
measured to determine the location of the
substance.
A G R I C U L T U R A L R E S E A R C H

Then, radioactivity of the plants is measured

to determine the location of the substance.
Some procedures include the consumption of
the plants by the animals, testing the water,
and even checking the radioactivity of the soil.
These procedures help scientists determine the
effects of the substance being tested.
D I S E A S E D I A G N O S I S

Radioisotopes like iodine-131, technecium-

99m, and phosphorus-32 are used to diagnose
some diseases in the body. They are
ingested/injected to the patient to let them
spread in the body. They are then scanned by
a radiation scanner to measure their uptake.
D I S E A S E D I A G N O S I S

Iodine-131
used to detect thyroid problems

Phosphorus-32
used to detect skin cancer

Technecium-99m
used to detect brain tumors
TREATMENT FOR
CANCER
 CANCER

It is characterized as rapidly dividing

abnormal cells which is usually more sensitive
to radiation than normal cells. They can also spread
to other parts of the body through blood
and lymph systems.
T R E A T M E N T F O R C A N C E R

Radiation is valuable for the treatment of some

cancers. Cancerous area can be treated with
radiation to kill cancer cells. However, some normal
cells are also killed in this process, and cancer cells
at the center of the tumor may be radiation
resistant. Therefore the benefits of killing the cancer
and the risk to the patient must be evaluated before
the radiation treatment is carried out.
 T E L E T H E R A P Y

Teletherapy is a type of radiation therapy that

uses radiation outside the body to treat cancer.
A narrow beam of high-intensity gamma
radiation is directed at the cancerous tissue.
Cobalt-60 and Cesium-137 are commonly used
as radiation sources.