Which Radioactive Element is Used in the Treatment of Cancer?

Cancer continues to impact millions of lives every year, creating not only physical challenges but also emotional and financial strain for patients and their families. Over the years, medical science has evolved to provide advanced treatments — one of the most effective being radiation therapy, which uses radioactive elements to target and destroy cancer cells.

A common question many people ask is: “Which radioactive element is used in the treatment of cancer?” The answer lies in how specific radioactive isotopes, such as Cobalt-60 and Radium-226, are carefully used to shrink or eliminate tumors without harming surrounding healthy tissues.

It might sound surprising that something as powerful as radiation — often associated with danger — can actually save lives. But when precisely controlled, these radioactive elements become lifesaving tools in modern oncology.

In this blog, we’ll explore which radioactive elements are used in cancer treatment, how these isotopes work, and even how a noble gas plays a role in therapy. But first, let’s understand the science behind radiation therapy and how it fights cancer effectively.

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Role of Radiation in Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy plays a crucial role in modern cancer treatment and is used in nearly 50% of all cancer cases worldwide — either as a standalone therapy or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. Its primary goal is to destroy or shrink cancer cells while protecting as much healthy tissue as possible.

The power of radiation lies in radioactive elements that emit ionizing energy. This energy damages the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from dividing or growing. Over time, these damaged cells die and are naturally eliminated by the body’s immune system.

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Types of Radiation Therapy

1. External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)

This is the most common form of radiation treatment. A specialized machine outside the body directs high-energy beams—such as X-rays, gamma rays, or proton beams—precisely at the tumor.
One of the key radioactive sources used for this purpose is Cobalt-60, known for its powerful gamma radiation that effectively targets cancer cells.

2. Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)

In this method, a radioactive source is placed inside or near the tumor. These sources may be tiny radioactive seeds, wires, or catheters that contain isotopes like Iodine-131, Cesium-137, or Iridium-192.
Because the radiation is delivered directly inside the body, this technique provides high-dose precision while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.

Purposes of Radiation Therapy

Radiation can be used to:

• Cure cancer by destroying cancer cells.
• Shrink tumors before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy).
• Eliminate residual cancer cells after surgery (adjuvant therapy).
• Relieve pain or symptoms in advanced stages (palliative care).
  

Balancing Effectiveness and Safety

While healthy cells can also be affected by radiation, they generally recover more effectively than cancer cells. This difference gives radiation therapy its precision and success.

In India, access to radiation therapy can sometimes be limited by cost and availability. Crowdfunding platforms like ImpactGuru help patients raise funds quickly, ensuring timely access to life-saving radiotherapy.

Which Radioactive Element is Used in the Treatment of Cancer?

Just like doctors carefully choose between chemotherapy and radiation therapy, they also select specific radioactive isotopes based on the type, location, and stage of cancer. The selection depends on how the radiation is delivered—externally or internally—and how precisely it needs to target the tumor.

Let’s look at the major radioactive elements used in modern cancer treatment:

1. Cobalt-60 (Co-60)

Cobalt-60 is one of the most widely used and trusted radioactive elements in cancer treatment. It emits high-energy gamma rays, which are ideal for External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT). These rays penetrate deep into tissues, effectively destroying cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy cells.

• Therapy type: External beam radiation
• Cancers treated: Breast, cervical, head and neck, and skin cancers
• Why it’s used: Deep tissue penetration and predictable decay rate
  
  

2. Iodine-131 (I-131)

Among the isotopes used in cancer therapy, Iodine-131 stands out for treating thyroid cancer. Since the thyroid gland naturally absorbs iodine, this isotope allows for highly targeted treatment with minimal side effects on other organs.

• Therapy type: Systemic therapy (oral dose)
• Cancers treated: Thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism
• Why it’s used: Selective uptake by thyroid tissue
  
  

3. Iridium-192 (Ir-192)

Iridium-192 is commonly used in brachytherapy, where tiny radioactive sources are placed directly inside or near the tumor. This allows for a high dose of radiation to be delivered locally while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.

• Therapy type: Internal radiation (temporary implants)
• Cancers treated: Cervical, prostate, breast, and esophageal cancers
• Why it’s used: Precision placement for localized treatment
  
  

4. Strontium-89 (Sr-89)

Strontium-89 is primarily used in palliative therapy to relieve pain caused by cancer that has spread to the bones. When injected, it naturally travels to bone tissues where cancer cells are active, delivering targeted radiation to ease discomfort.

• Therapy type: Systemic radiation (injection)
• Cancers treated: Bone metastases from prostate or breast cancer
• Why it’s used: Pain relief in advanced cancer stages
  
  

5. Yttrium-90 (Y-90)

Yttrium-90 is a key isotope in treating liver cancer through a procedure known as radioembolization. Tiny beads containing Y-90 are injected into the blood vessels feeding the tumor, simultaneously blocking its blood supply and delivering radiation directly to the cancer.

• Therapy type: Internal systemic therapy (radioembolization)
• Cancers treated: Liver cancer and metastatic liver tumors
• Why it’s used: Dual action—radiation plus embolization
  
  

6. Radon-222 (Rn-222) — The Noble Gas Once Used in Cancer Treatment

Radon-222, a naturally occurring noble gas, played a role in early brachytherapy treatments. Though rarely used today due to safety concerns and the availability of safer isotopes, it contributed significantly to the historical development of radiation oncology.

• Therapy type: Internal radiation (historical use)
• Cancers treated: Various deep-seated tumors (historical use)
• Why it’s no longer used: Radioactive gas leakage risks and better alternatives

These radioactive isotopes vary in how they’re administered—some externally via machines, others internally through injections or oral doses. What unites them is their shared goal: to deliver focused radiation that destroys cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissue.

Conclusion

Radioactive elements like Cobalt-60, Iodine-131, and Radon-222 play a key role in cancer care. Each isotope used in the treatment of cancer works to destroy cancer cells while aiming to spare healthy tissues. Understanding which radioactive element is used in the treatment of cancer can bring clarity during an overwhelming time.

Whether it’s an element used in cancer treatment for targeted therapy or learning which noble gas is used for the treatment of cancer, knowing their role helps patients and families make informed decisions.

While these treatments offer hope, they also come with emotional and financial challenges. Crowdfunding websites like ImpactGuru help ease this burden by enabling patients to raise money online for their cancer treatment

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