Question

List three (3) inherent concerns when using a radioisotope cancer treatment machine.

Answer 1

The   use of radiation as well as that of radioisotopes in medicine, particularly for the diagnosis (identification) and therapy (treatment) of various types of cancer are increasing now a days

In medicine, the two of the mostly used radioisotopes are technetium-99m and the iodine-131. Radioactive isotopes are also used for the medical research to study normal as well as the abnormal functioning of organs and systems.

Nuclear medicine uses the radiation to provide information specifically about the functioning of a person's specific organ as well as , to treat disease. In many cases, the specific information that is used by the physicians to make a quick diagnosis of the patient's illness. The thyroid organ , the bones, heart as well as the , liver, and many other organs can be easily imaged, and disorders in their function revealed. In some cases radiation can also be used to treat the diseased organs, or tumours.

Main concerns are

1. When the radiation therapy or radioisotope therapy is used for the cancer management it is having a high risk for the occurance of cancer or tumor in other regions of the body that are exposed the radiation .
2. The radioisotopes can cause the destruction of the surrounding tissue that are present near the targeted region and will result in their destruction. For example in case of cancer in the breast if radiation is applied or isotopes are induced then it can result in the destruction of there surrounding tissue
3. Loss of all the rapidly growing cells in the body can and thus can lead to the hair loss of the individual as this is one of the main organ that undergo rapid multiplication
4. Tiredness in the Individuals is most common
5. Neck tenderness and swelling if iodine is used
6. Loss of taste in the Individual