The concept of Atomic energy has always remained a controversial topic due to the threats it poses to the society. Supporters claim that contrary to the public perception, atomic energy can be put to its best use in the field of medicine. First and foremost use is its help in the treatment of cancer. Using radiation, the particular cancer cells are destroyed. With the advent of advanced techniques, more and more procedures are being discovered each year the demand for radioisotopes is rapidly increasing. A number of hospitals around the world use radioisotopes, which are mainly used for diagnostics. For diagnosis radioactive tracers are used which emits gamma rays within the body. These can be given either orally or through injections and in one of the ways photons are detected by gamma camera which helps in viewing different organs from different angles.
Another recent development is the Positron emission tomography which is referred to as PET. Here, isotopes are used to form a cyclotron. This is introduced into the body by injection and as it decays, it emits positrons which combine with an electron nearby, resulting in emission of two identical gamma rays in opposite direction. These are in turn deducted by PET cameras, which help in detecting cancer. The main advantage using nuclear imaging is that both soft tissues and bones can be imaged, enabling better diagnosis of the medical problem.
Another recent development is the Positron emission tomography which is referred to as PET. Here, isotopes are used to form a cyclotron. This is introduced into the body by injection and as it decays, it emits positrons which combine with an electron nearby, resulting in emission of two identical gamma rays in opposite direction. These are in turn deducted by PET cameras, which help in detecting cancer. The main advantage using nuclear imaging is that both soft tissues and bones can be imaged, enabling better diagnosis of the medical problem.
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