Radioisotopes in the therapy and diagnosis of neoplasms (notes on the principal technics used)

Abstract

The main techniques presently employed for the therapy and diagnosis of malignant tumours are reported. Mention is given of the employ of the colloidal suspensions in the endocavitary. interstitial and internal therapy, of the radioiodine in the therapy of tumours and their metastases, of the radiophosphorus in the therapy of polycythemia and leukemias. Some methods of external and interstitial beta- and gamma-therapy carried out with P32, Y90, Sr90 + Y90, Au198, Co60, Ta182 are exposed. As concerns diagnosis, mention is given of the I131 (thyroid tumours), of the compounds labeled with radioiodine (brain tumours etc.), of P32 (intraoperatory delineation of endocranial tumours), of K42 (brain and mammary tumours), of Ga66 and Ga72 (primary and metastatic bone tumours) etc Information on the general precautions and on the equipment advisable for the execution of the exposed therapeutical techniques are briefly reported and some tables concerning the necessary precautional measures in the use of the two radionuclides more often employed (Au198 and I131) are presented.