Radionuclide Therapy

The advancements in medical technology have led to a dramatic surge in the development and availability of new cancer treatments. The treatment of cancer involves different strategies, such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy and, most recently, targeted therapies, such as the use of radionuclide-based therapies employed in nuclear medicine. External radiotherapy with ionizing radiation is the most frequently employed radiation treatment of cancer patients. In this approach, the primary tumour and a limited area around it is treated through irradiation with high-energy X-rays. Another treatment option available for certain types of cancer is the use of targeted radionuclide therapy, which is based on administering radioactive substances to patients. Just like chemotherapy, this therapy is a systemic treatment, reaching cells throughout the body by travelling through the bloodstream. However, unlike chemotherapy, these radioactive substances specifically target diseased cells, thus reducing potential side effects.