How are gamma rays used in medicine?

Gamma rays are used in medicine for cancer treatment and medical imaging.

Gamma rays have high energy and can penetrate deep into the body, making them useful in cancer treatment. Gamma knife radiosurgery is a non-invasive procedure that uses gamma rays to target and destroy cancer cells in the brain. This technique is particularly effective for treating small tumours that are difficult to remove surgically.

Gamma rays are also used in medical imaging, such as PET (positron emission tomography) scans. In this technique, a radioactive tracer is injected into the patient's body, which emits gamma rays as it decays. The gamma rays are detected by a scanner, which creates a 3D image of the tracer's distribution in the body. This can be used to diagnose a range of conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders.

Another use of gamma rays in medicine is in radiation therapy. This involves using high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Gamma rays can be produced by a machine called a linear accelerator, which delivers the radiation to the tumour site. The dose of radiation is carefully controlled to minimise damage to healthy tissue surrounding the tumour.

In summary, gamma rays are a valuable tool in modern medicine, used for cancer treatment and medical imaging. Their ability to penetrate deep into the body makes them particularly useful for targeting tumours and diagnosing a range of conditions.