Radiotherapy in practice - radioisotope therapy

Radioisotope therapy is an internal form of radiation used to treat cancer; it may be administered orally or intravenously and represents the nearest treatment option to the 'magic bullet', specifically targeting sites of disease whilst sparing surrounding normal tissues. Radioisotope therapy has an important role to play in modern medicine, particularly in the treatment of thyroid disease, neuroendocrine tumours, bone metastasis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. It is found in both the diagnostic setting and in therapy, but recently there has been a renaissance in the application of radioisotope unsealed sources in therapeutic indications. It is an active area of research, with the quest for new compounds that will be specific for therapeutic targets. This book is an essential, practical guide to the use of radioisotope therapy, and also includes the background and developmental biology which underpins its use. Individual tumours and diseases are explored, with specific focus given to radioisotope treatment options. The barriers to radioisotope therapy, such as ease of access, acquisition of radioisotopes, radiation protection regulations, and cost are also discussed. ABOUT THE SERIES Radiotherapy remains the major non-surgical treatment modality for the management of malignant disease, with over 50% of patients receiving treatment at some time during the management of their malignant disease. It is based on the application of the principles of applied physics, radiobiology, and tumour biology to clinical practice. Each volume in this series takes the reader through the basic principles of different types of radiotherapy, and then develops these by individual sites. This series of practical handbooks are aimed at physicians both training and practising in radiotherapy, as well as medical physicists, dosimetrists, radiographers and senior nurses.