Ask A Scientist© General Science Archive

 >    name         Mark
 >    status       educator
 >    age          20s

 >    Question -   What are the radioisotopes that are used in chemotherapy?


Dear Mark:

I think you have confused the use of radioisotopes that are used for
diagnostic medical purposes with the use of drugs that are used in
chemotherapy.  Some isotopes, such as technicium-99, are used for diagnostic
purposes, and some isotopes, like iridium seeds or cobalt-60, are used for
specific medical treatments, but radioisotopes, to my knowledge and personal
experience, are not considered chemotherapy, which is drug based. In
addition, you can use certain types of radiation therapy, such as protons,
for some cancer and blood related disorders. For example, you can treat
macular degeneration in the eyes using protons, and you can treat certain
cancer tumors using other forms of radiation therapy, but these treatments
are not considered chemotherapy.

There are over 100 different protocols that can be used for chemotherapy,
depending on the type of cancer involved, the body tissue or organs
involved, etc. Within a given protocol, you can use a single chemo drug or a
combination. A CHOP protocol, for example, uses a mixture of 4 drugs (one
for each letter of the acronym) and some are administered orally, like the
Prednisone--for the P, whereas others in the protocol are administered
intravenously.

For more detailed information consult any good hospital nuclear medicine
department for the radioisotope question and the oncology department for
more information about the chemotherapy. You can also consult a private
practicing physician in these areas, who usually  has brochures on the
different types of treatments used available in their office for patients to
peruse. Alternatively, you can consult the American Cancer Society or the
Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, MD
for more detailed information.

Sincerely,
John S.
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