Why do we use radioactive isotopes in medicine?

Question

I believe they are used to detect certain types of cellular activity. However, doesn't radioactivity within healthy live cells pose a threat to them? Isn't there a chance that they will mutate the cells or even kill them? Why do we use this is medicine even though we no it could be dangerous?

Sorry about my poor spelling...my mistake!

Answer 1

There are many uses of radioisotopes, including:

* cobalt-60 gives off gamma rays, which sterilize
* killing of cancer cells (hopefully the radioisotope is placed far enough from your healthy cells)
* to see what atoms' molecules go where (e.g. to know that the oxygen plants produce comes from carbon dioxide not water)
* various imaging techniques (e.g ct http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodyct&bhcp=1 )
* the first x-ray image came from an imprint left by radioactive uranium

Answer 2

It's a very good question. You are right that certain types of radiation is harmful. However, some is so weak it cannot penetrate into cells, and is used as a tracer material. Also, it is short lived, so damage (if any) is unlikely to occur. Finally, radiation is used to kill cancer cells and it does so somewhat selectively because some cancer cells are slightly more susceptible to radiation than the normal cells from which they derive.

Answer 3

You can use a radioactive dye in the blood or the lymph to trace circulation. Sometimes radioactive isotopes are used to kill cancer cells.

Answer 4

it's the only way to see soft tissue. radiation is a cumulative effect so if you bath in the isotopes than you're gonna get hurt, but if you need a MRI etc. then you're ok. there is a slight chance something could go wrong, but there's also a chance you'll get run over by a bus in the hospital so go figure