Absorption of Metallic Cobalt–60 from a Subcutaneous Site

Abstract

THE possibility of using cobalt-60 interstitially as a source of radiation for therapeutic purposes prompted preliminary investigation of its behaviour when implanted subcutaneously. It is known that cobalt when administered to animals in sufficient quantities produces evidences of systemic toxicity1–3. There are also reports of the development of sterile abscesses at the site of injection of inactive cobaltous chloride4. It was anticipated, therefore, that metallic cobalt might produce a tissue reaction which would make its use as a bare needle or seed inadmissible. Another possibility was that particles of the metal might be absorbed by the animal and deposited or excreted in measurable amounts.