Final answer:
Brachytherapy is an internal radiation therapy where radioactive isotopes like Strontium-89, Iodine-131, Phosphorus-32, and radio labeled antibodies (e.g., actinium-225) are used to treat bone cancers, overactive thyroid, leukemia, and prostate cancer respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Types of Brachytherapy and Their Applications
Brachytherapy is an internal radiation therapy used to treat various types of cancer. It involves placing radioactive isotopes near or within the tumor. Different radioisotopes are chosen based on their properties and the type of cancer to be treated.
Strontium-89
Strontium-89 is a beta-emitter used to alleviate the pain of bone cancers by delivering radiation directly to the affected bone.
Iodine-131
Iodine-131 is used for radiation therapy of an overactive thyroid gland and in higher doses can be used to destroy thyroid tumor cells.
Phosphorus-32
Phosphorus-32 is utilized to treat blood disorders such as leukemia, where it helps to kill the diseased cells in the bloodstream.
Radio labeled Antibodies
Radio labeled antibodies, such as those tagged with actinium-225, target specific antigens on cancer cells. For instance, these can be used to deliver radiation specifically to prostate cancer cells.