Summary:
- Radioisotopes are widely used to diagnose disease and as effective treatment tools.
- For diagnosis, the isotope is administered and then located in the body using a scanner of some sort.
- The decay product (often gamma emission) can be located and the intensity measured.
- The amount of isotope taken up by the body can then give information as to the extent of the medical problem.
- There are presently over 25 different isotopes in use for diagnosis and treatment.
- A very partial list can be seen in the Table below.