Medical uses of radioactive sources

Radioactive sources are used to detect and diagnose diseases and injuries, manage patient care, and guide many forms of medical treatment. Ionizing radiation is also used to destroy cancer cells and limit cell growth. In addition, radiopharmaceuticals are radioisotopes bound to biological molecules able to target specific organs, tissues or cells within the human body. These radioactive drugs can be used for the diagnosis and, increasingly, for the therapy of diseases.

Learn more about radiation and what patients need to know, and visit the dedicated IAEA website on radiation protection of patients.

The Gamma Knife is an advanced radiation treatment for adults and children with small to medium brain tumors, abnormal blood vessel formations (arteriovenous malformations), epilepsy, or trigeminal neuralgia, a nerve condition that causes chronic pain and other neurological conditions.

External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) or teletherapy is the most common form of radiotherapy (radiation therapy). The patient sits or lies on a couch and an external source of ionizing radiation is directed at a particular part of body.

A pacemaker is a small, electrically-charged device implanted in the chest or abdomen to help control abnormal heart rhythms. This device uses electrical pulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate. Pacemakers are used to treat arrhythmias, which are problems with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat.

HDR brachytherapy is a powerful form of internally delivered radiation therapy that destroys many types of cancers including skin, cervical, prostate and breast. It can be used as a standalone treatment or after a tumour has been surgically removed to eliminate any remaining cancerous cells.

Used to treat blood or tissue with radiation to prevent transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease.

Provides medical isotopes used for medical diagnostic imaging. Provides shielding for the source during transport to hospitals and for ease of use.