The Use of Isotopes in Medicine - Literature review Example

The Use of Isotopes in Medicine of The Use of Isotopes in Medicine Introduction Isotopes are atoms with equal atomic number but differ in the mass number due to their difference in the number of neutrons. Rana, et al. (2012) suggests that isotopes bring about the existence of elements in many forms for example carbon 12 and carbon 14. Chemically, isotopes of a particular element have similar behaviors under similar circumstances. Due to the difference in their masses, isotopes differ physically, which explains why isotopes can be separated through processes such as fractional distillation. Majority of the chemical elements that exist on earth have multiple isotopes (Gagne, Leonard and Rivard, 2012). However, it is only that a single isotope gains dominance due to its abundant nature than the rest. Mostly, atoms are defined using their mass numbers (protons + neutrons) and this number is added to their chemical symbol as a subscript. Atom stability of the nucleus depends greatly on the protons to neutrons ratio. Isotopes have two classifications: the stable ones which do not change with time and the ones that possess a ratio that makes them unstable allowing them to change their mass numbers (Ling, et al, 2012). Stable isotopes have a constant concentration in the environment, though their distribution keeps on changing depending on the environmental preferences. Unstable isotopes decay with time through a process called radio-activity and assume different states. For instance, over a period of time it has been found that carbon – 14 decays into carbon – 12. Bonfils, et al., (2012) explains that some isotopes are more active than others and are more likely to decay faster than others until they attain stability. Fortunately, this rate of decay can be predicted or even measured hence can be used age determination. Used In Diagnosis Isotopes, especially radio-isotopes are widely being used in medicine to carry out nuclear examinations. Nuclear medicine is a scientific branch in medicine that employs the use of radiations to provide more information to the human body’s organic functioning or disease treatment (Jodal, Le Loirec & Champion, 2012). Through this information collected a proper and accurate diagnosis is given regarding a patient’s illness. Diagnostic techniques in most cases use tracers which are radioactive in nature for the body to release gamma rays. These tracers are short-lived but are judged with the role of checking particular physiological processes. The tracers can be administered orally or through injections after which a camera is used to detect them. Gagne, Leonard, and Rivard (2012) assert that through the radiations being caused by the tracers, a doctor can examine the image produced by the camera and identify where the exact problem lies. Let us have a look at the PET scan where a radionuclide is injected into a body of a patient and concentrated in the tissue targeted (Jodal, Le Loirec & Champion, 2012). As the radionuclide decays, it emits positrons whose combination with electrons gives gamma rays emission that can be identified easily. Through the PET camera, their original direction can be studied and the affected organ be identified. The most commonly used isotopes in this study are fluoride- 18 which is used as an oncology tracer. It is the most effective method used in cancer examinations as well as heart and brain cell examinations. These scans have improved the diagnosis by almost 30%, providing critical information regarding the various types of diseases (Ling, et al., 2012). They can also be used to detect malfunction of organs through the speed of isotope movement. Use of Isotopes in Radionuclide Therapy (RNT) This is the art of controlling or even getting rid of the cancer tumor by using radionuclide radiations (Rana, et al, 2012). The tumor is irradiated through a process known as teletherapy, which is performed by emitting a beam of gamma rays from a radioactive source called cobalt-60. However, the developed world makes use of accelerators of versatile linear. In this therapy, small amounts of the radiation source like beta/gamma are administered and directed towards the area targeted. For instance, in cases of thyroid cancer, Iodine- 131 is employed for its treatment. Moreover, this isotope of Iodine can also be used to treat other forms of thyroid disorders (Jodal, Le Loirec & Champion, 2012). For brain and breast cancer, the preferred isotope is Iridium- 192 where the isotopes are introduced towards the target area in form of a wire using a catheter. Afterwards, the wire used for implantation is removed on the administration of the right dosage. In the processes discussed above, the most preferred therapy type is short or brachytherapy. This is because of its various advantages such as it targeting specific areas, exposing the body to less radiations and it is very cost effective (Ling, et al, 2012). In case of leukemia treatment, radiations of lethal dose are administered to the patient in effort to kill all the infected cells in the bone marrow before healthy cells are introduced to the body. Some isotopes such as Stronium- 89 can be used as cancer-pain relievers. Recently, another new isotope- rhenium-186 has been added to the pain therapy. On the other hand, Alpha Therapy which is controlled can be used in cases where cancer cells are dispersed (Rana, et al, 2012). Here alpha radiations taken to the area targeted and are given a chance to enter the cancer cells which are targeted controlling their further disperse. Use of Isotopes in therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals This is mainly concerned with the treatment and management of diseases that have already been diagnosed in a patient (Jodal, Le Loirec & Champion, 2012). Under specific medical conditions, radiations emitted by isotopes can be used to deteriorate or destroy cell malfunctioning. Here elements which are radio-active in nature are directed towards the organ of interest by attaching a biological compound with the element. Under this therapy phosphorous- 32 can be used in the management of ‘polycythemia vera’. This is condition where a person’s blood cells are excess in the body hence they need to be reduced to manageable levels. Beta rays are the most common radiations that are used in the treatment and destruction of cancerous cells (Bonfils, et al, 2012). Moreover, a lot of research is underway aimed at proposing more ways of controlling and curing diseases using radiations. A large number of isotopes are manufactured in cyclotrons or within nuclear reactors. The isotopes which are rich in neutrons are manufactured in nuclear reactors through a processes referred to as nuclear fission (Bonfils, et al, 2012). Isotopes rich in protons are manufactured in cyclotrons, in medicine the field of medicine. During therapy, a lot of factors govern the radioactive isotope selection in the search to administer the right dosage to a patient. This is the reason why all physicians are advised to carry out a thorough discussion with the patient before commencing a therapeutic exercise. If a wrong therapy is administered to a patient, the results can be very devastating or even cause a patient’s life (Rana, et al., 2012). Even though, the use of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals has proven to deliver positive outcome up to date. In conclusion, radioisotopes are widely used to improve the imaging used in diagnosis so as occurrence of diseases can be identified quickly and managed (Ling, et al., 2012). Due to this, new and better ways are being discovered in the field of disease diagnosis. With the bestowed hope among the people, many are hoping that in the near future almost all the killer diseases such as cancer can be controlled. While research intensifies in the in order to come up with specific diagnostic imaging application, therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals are currently being considered as the greatest opportunity offered to man. New discoveries are still being made such as Molecular Targeted Radiotherapy (MTR). This radiotherapy has been discovered in the molecular biology and it aims at recognizing the disease cellular structure as well as its way of manifestation (Rana, et al, 2012). There is still much anticipated from the radioactive isotope application in medicine. References Bonfils, K. et al. (2012). 99mTc-albumin can replace (125) I-albumin to determine plasma volume repeatedly. Scand J Clin Lab Invest, 23(2). Gagne, L., Leonard, L. and Rivard, J. (2012). Radiobiology for eye plaque brachytherapy and evaluation of implant duration and radionuclide choice using an objective function. Med Phys, 39(6): 3332-42. Jodal, L., Le Loirec, C., & Champion, C. (2012). Positron range in PET imaging: an alternative approach for assessing and correcting the blurring. Phys Med Boil, 57(12): 3931-43. Ling, J. et al. (2012). Pharmacokinetics of nicotine in blood and brain using micro-dialysis and stable labeled isotope. Zhonqquo Zhong Yo Za Zhi. 37(1):104-8. Rana, S. et al. (2012). Radio-decontamination efficacy and safety studies on optimized decontamination lotion formulation. Int J Pharm, 434(1-2): 43-48. Read More