RADIATION IN MEDICINE

ADIOACTIVITY
-Refer to the particles which are emitted from
nuclei as a result of nuclear instability . Because
the nucleus experiment the intense conflict
between the two strongest forces in nature , it
should not be surprising that there are many
nuclear isotopes which are us table and emit
some kind of radiation.

Diagnosis
- Covers a wide range of exams from fairly
routine X rays to complex CT scan and the
injection of radioactive material for nuclear
medicine imaging

Therapy
- Therapy is primarily directed to the killing of
tumour cells as part of the treatment of
cancer .

Radiation therapy may also be used in the
treatment of others disease such as coronary
artery disease , by applying a large radiation
dose to small area on the inside surface of
the vessel to the reduce the probability that
the artery will close (occlude) in the future.
Involves in delivering a large dose of radiation
to a small area of the body.
Iodine 131 is administered orally as a liquid
Or capsule in the treatment of thyroid cancer.

Phosphorus 32 is instilled either in an
intraperitoneal or intrapleural space to treat
malignant effusions. Radioactive 89Sr and 153Sr
are injected intravenously to relieve pain from
bone cancer. Many radioisotopes are used as
sealed sources to treat cancer such as 137Cs,
1925r , 90Sr and 125I. Cobalt 60 is used in
machine (teletheraphy unit) as source of intense
gamma radiation for the treatment of variety of
cancer.-
IMPORTANCE OF
RADIOISOTOPES IN MEDICINES
Use in nuclear medicine
- Radio isotopes are extensively used in nuclear
medicine to allow physicians to explore bodily
structures and functions in vivo (in the living body)
with a minimum of invasion to the patient.

Helps in Radiotherapy
Treatments of cancer and other medical conditions
that requires destruction of harmful cells


BIOLOGICAL EFFECT OF
RADIATION
Acute Effects
Exposure to a high dose of radiation during a short period
of time.
Includes:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Malaise and fatigue
- Increased temperature
- Blood changes
- Bone marrow damage
- Damage to cells lining the small intestine
- Damage to blood vessels in the brain


DELAY EFFECTS
Due to low-level exposure that is called continuous or
chronic exposure. In this case, the results may not be
apparent for years. This type of exposure is likely to be
the result of improper or inadequate protective
measures.

Includes:
- Cancer (leukaemia, bone cancer, thyroid cancer, lung
cancer)
- Genetic defects (malformations in children born to
parents exposed to radiation)

DETECTING
RADIATION
Geiger counters


- were designed to sense extremely small electrical impulses
caused by ionizing radiation. In a Geiger counter, an
electric current is passed along the walls of a tube. A thin
wire passes through the center of the tube (which is filled
with a gas argon) that easily loses electrons if it is hit with
ionizing radiation. When this happens, an electric current
can jump through the gas to the wire. This completes an
electrical circuit and the resulting electricity causes a loud
clicking noise or moves a needle on a dial


Scintillation counter





-which takes advantage of the fact that certain
substances such as zinc sulphide, give off light
when they are struck by high energy radiation.


Photocell
- senses the flashes of light that occur as the
radiation strikes and thus measures the
number of decay events per unit of time,
Photographic film .

- Henri Becquerel discovered this method of detecting
radiation as far back as 1896. He found that invisible
rays would affect silver emulsions on photographic
plates just like light rays would. This is the principle
behind the film badge. Radiation that strikes
photographic film affects it much the way light does.
The difference is that radiation can penetrate through
materials that can stop light. A result, photographic film
can be used to test for radioactivity