P4 : Nuclear Radiation in Medicine

Question 1

Exploring internal organs using a tracer

Question 2

Issues with using a tracer

Answer 2

. The tracer must emit radiation that can pass out of the body and be detected (gamma or beta radiation)
. The tracer must not be strongly ionizing to minimize damage to body tissue
. The tracer must not decay into another radioactive isotope
. The tracer must have a short half-life so it is not present in the body for a long period

Question 3

Radiotherapy

Answer 3

Certain cancer can be destroyed using ionizing radiation. This is called radiotherapy
Gamma rays pass into the body and destroy the tumor
Healthy tissue may also be damaged as the radiation passes through the body

Question 4

Radioactive rods

Answer 4

A patient can have radioactive rods inserted into his body to treat a cancer
The radiation is targeted very precisely to the tumor
There is less damage to healthy tissue