Final answer:
Radiopharmaceutical therapy involves fusing a monoclonal antibody with a radioactive material, which is then injected into the patient's bloodstream. The antibody travels to and binds to the cancer cells, delivering a high dosage of radiation directly to the cancer cells. One example of this therapy is the use of radioactive iodine to treat thyroid cancer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of nuclear medicine therapy described in the question is called radiopharmaceutical therapy. This therapy involves fusing a monoclonal antibody with a radioactive material, which is then injected into the patient's bloodstream. The antibody travels to and binds to the cancer cells, delivering a high dosage of radiation directly to the cancer cells.
One example of this therapy is the use of radioactive iodine to treat thyroid cancer. The antibodies produced by the patient to combat their cancer are extracted, loaded with radioactive iodine, and then returned to the patient. These antibodies are highly concentrated in the cancer tissue, allowing for the localized delivery of radiation.
This type of therapy provides a targeted approach to destroying cancer cells while minimizing damage to normal tissue. However, there can be a significant dose of radiation received by organs that eliminate radiopharmaceuticals from the body, such as the liver, kidneys, and bladder.