How are isotopes used in medical applications?

Isotopes are used in medical applications for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

In the field of medicine, isotopes play a crucial role in both diagnosing and treating various diseases. They are used in a branch of medicine known as nuclear medicine. This involves the use of radioactive isotopes (also known as radioisotopes) to diagnose and treat various conditions.

For diagnostic purposes, radioisotopes are used in medical imaging to create detailed images of the body's internal structures. This is done by injecting a small amount of a radioisotope into the patient's body, which then travels to specific organs or tissues. The radiation emitted by the radioisotope is then detected by a special camera, which creates an image of the area. This can help doctors to detect abnormalities such as tumours or blockages. For example, the radioisotope technetium-99m is commonly used in medical imaging due to its short half-life and the type of radiation it emits.

In terms of therapy, radioisotopes can be used to treat certain conditions by delivering targeted radiation to specific areas of the body. This is often used in the treatment of cancer, where a radioisotope is used to kill cancer cells while minimising damage to healthy cells. An example of this is the use of iodine-131 in the treatment of thyroid cancer.

Furthermore, isotopes are also used in sterilisation of medical equipment. Cobalt-60, a radioactive isotope, is used to sterilise medical supplies and food as it emits gamma radiation, which kills bacteria and other pathogens.

In conclusion, isotopes have a wide range of applications in medicine, from diagnostic imaging to therapeutic treatments and sterilisation of medical equipment. Their unique properties make them invaluable tools in the field of healthcare.