INTRODUCTION 1
History 1
What Is Radiation? 5
What Is Radioactivity? 5
What Are Radioisotopes? 6
How Are Radioisotopes Used? 7
What Do We Mean by Tracer Atoms? 9
DIAGNOSIS 11
Pinpointing Disease 11
Arsenic-74 14
Chromium-51 15
Cobalt-60 16
Iodine-131 18
Iron-59 23
Phosphorus-32 24
Sodium-24 25
Technetium-99^{_m_} 26
Thulium-170 and Gamma Radiography 27
Tritium 28
Activation Analysis 30
Summary 30
THERAPY 31
A Successful Case 31
General Principles 32
Iodine-131 and Iodine-132 32
Boron-10 33
Phosphorus-32 35
Gold-198 37
Beads, Needles, and Applicators 38
Teletherapy 41
CONCLUSIONS 43
APPENDIX 44
SUGGESTED REFERENCES 47
United States Atomic Energy Commission
Division of Technical Information
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 66-62749
1966
[Illustration: THE COVER
This multi-detector positron scanner is used to locate tumors. A
radioisotope-labeled substance is injected into the body and
subsequently concentrates in the tumor tissue. The radioisotope emits
positrons that immediately decay and produce two gamma rays that travel
in opposite directions. These rays are detected simultaneously on a pair
of opposing detection crystals and a line is established along which the
tumor is located. This method is one of many ways doctors use
radioisotopes to combat disease. In this, as in many other procedures
described in this booklet, the patient remains comfortable at all
times.]
[Illustration: THE AUTHOR
Earl W. Phelan is Professor of Chemistry at Tusculum College,
Greeneville, Tennessee. From 1952 to 1965, he served as Staff Assistant
in the Laboratory Director’s Office at Argonne National Laboratory,
where his duties included editing the Argonne Reviews and supplying
information to students. For 22 years prior to moving to Argonne he
served as Head of the Chemistry Department of the Valdosta State College
In Georgia. He received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell
University.]