Radiopharmaceutical Therapy
Systemic radiation treatment using radioactive drugs that target specific tissues or cell types. Includes therapies like radioiodine and radium-223.
Full Definition
Radiopharmaceutical therapy involves the administration of radioactive compounds that selectively accumulate in target tissues to deliver therapeutic radiation doses. Common examples include iodine-131 for thyroid cancer, radium-223 for bone metastases, and lutetium-177 for neuroendocrine tumors. Unlike external beam radiation, these agents distribute systemically and require specialized nuclear medicine facilities for administration and patient monitoring. Treatment planning involves calculating organ doses and implementing radiation safety protocols for patients and caregivers.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals used for imaging only.
In Context
- "The radiopharmaceutical therapy protocol required 48-hour hospitalization for radiation safety monitoring." — Treatment summary
- "Dosimetry calculations for radiopharmaceutical therapy must account for organ-specific uptake kinetics." — Physics report