Which Radioactive Element is Used in the Treatment of Cancer?

Cancer continues to affect millions of lives each year, bringing not only physical but also emotional and financial challenges to patients and their families. Over time, science has advanced to offer a range of treatments, one of the most widely used and effective being radiation therapy. Many people often ask, “Which radioactive element is used in the treatment of cancer?”—a question that highlights both curiosity and the hope tied to modern cancer care.

You may wonder how radiation, something often linked with danger, can save lives. The answer lies in how certain radioactive elements and isotopes are carefully used in modern medicine to target and destroy cancer cells.

While radioactive elements offer hope in targeting cancer, the cost of such treatments can be overwhelming. ImpactGuru helps ease this burden by enabling families to use crowdfunding platforms in India and compassionately.

In this blog, we will share which radioactive element is used in the treatment of cancer, the isotopes behind the therapy, and even how a noble gas plays a role. But before we explore those elements, let’s first understand the role of radiation itself in treating cancer.

Read More: Top Anti-Cancer Supplements

Role of Radiation in Cancer Treatment

Radiation therapy plays an important role in treating cancer. It’s used in about half of all cancer cases, either alone or alongside other treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. The goal of radiation therapy is simple: to kill or shrink cancer cells while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

But how does it work? The answer lies in radioactive elements that emit energy in the form of ionizing radiation. This radiation is powerful enough to damage the DNA of cells. When cancer cells are exposed to it, their DNA breaks down, making it hard or impossible for them to grow or divide. Over time, the damaged cells die and are naturally removed by the body.

There are two main ways radiation is delivered:

1. External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT)

This is the most common form. A machine outside the body directs high-energy radiation beams (like X-rays, gamma rays, or proton beams) at the tumor site. The source of these rays may include radioactive isotopes such as cobalt-60.

2. Internal Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy)

This involves placing a radioactive source inside the body, either within or near the tumor. These sources are often small radioactive seeds, wires, or catheters containing isotopes like iodine-131, cesium-137, or iridium-192. This method allows for high-dose radiation to be delivered directly to the cancer while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.

Radiation may be used to:

• Cure cancer by destroying all cancer cells
• Shrink tumors before surgery (neoadjuvant therapy)
• Eliminate remaining cancer cells after surgery (adjuvant therapy)
• Relieve symptoms in advanced-stage cancers (palliative care)

It’s important to note that normal cells can also be affected by radiation, but they are generally better at repairing themselves compared to cancer cells. This difference gives radiation therapy its effectiveness.

Access to treatments like radiotherapy often depends on affordability. Many patients turn to crowdfunding platform to gather timely financial support against cancer.

Which Radioactive Element is Used in the Treatment of Cancer?

Just like choosing between chemo and radiation therapy, doctors also have to choose specific isotopes used in the treatment of cancer based on the type and stage of cancer. The choice also depends on how the radiation is delivered, externally or internally, and how focused the treatment must be.

Let’s take a closer look at the key radioactive elements used in cancer treatment:

1. Cobalt-60 (Co-60)

Cobalt-60 is one of the oldest and most reliable radioactive elements used in cancer treatment. It emits high-energy gamma rays, making it highly effective in external beam radiation therapy. This method directs radiation from outside the body to the tumor, damaging cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

Therapy type: External beam radiation

Cancers treated: Breast, cervical, head and neck, skin cancers

Why it’s used: Deep tissue penetration and predictable decay

2. Iodine-131 (I-131)

Among the isotopes used in the treatment of cancer, Iodine-131 is the most well-known for treating thyroid cancer. Since the thyroid naturally absorbs iodine, this radioactive isotope is perfect for targeting thyroid cells while minimizing effects on other parts of the body.

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 frequently used in brachytherapy, where radioactive material is placed directly into or near the tumor. This localized treatment delivers high doses of radiation by a tumor specialist while minimizing damage to healthy tissues around the cancer.

Therapy type: Internal radiation (temporary implants)

Cancers treated: Cervical, prostate, breast, and esophageal cancers

Why it’s used: Precision placement near the tumor

4. Strontium-89 (Sr-89)

Used primarily for palliative care, Strontium-89 helps relieve pain caused by cancer that has spread to the bones. Once injected into the bloodstream, it travels to the affected bone areas, delivering targeted radiation.

Therapy type: Systemic radiation (injection)

Cancers treated: Bone metastases from prostate or breast cancer

Why it’s used: Pain relief in advanced stages

5. Yttrium-90 (Y-90)

Yttrium-90 is a powerful isotope used in the treatment of cancer, especially for treating liver cancer. It’s used in a technique called radioembolization, where tiny beads carrying Y-90 are injected into the blood vessels feeding the tumor. These beads deliver radiation directly while also blocking the blood flow to the tumor.

Therapy type: Internal systemic therapy (radioembolization)

Cancers treated: Liver cancer and metastatic cancers to the liver

Why it’s used: Dual action for radiation + embolization

6. Radon-222 (Rn-222)—The Online donation India Noble Gas Used for Cancer Treatment

Radon-222 is a noble gas that was once used in cancer treatment, particularly for brachytherapy. Though rarely used today due to safety concerns and the development of more advanced isotopes, it played an important role in the early stages of radiation therapy.

Therapy type: Internal radiation (historical use)

Cancers treated: Various (historically used for deep-seated tumors)

These isotopes used in the treatment of cancer differ based on how and where they are applied. While some are used externally, others are injected or ingested to target cancer from the inside. Their effectiveness lies in their ability to deliver radiation directly to cancerous tissue while limiting damage to healthy cells.

In addition to these, the noble gas used for the treatment of cancer is Radon-222, which was historically used but is now rarely applied due to safety concerns and the development of better alternatives.

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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