Which statements best describe medical uses for radioactive isotopes? Check all that apply.

Question

Radioactive isotopes are used to detect medical problems.
High-energy gamma rays are injected into the body.
Radioactive isotopes are used to treat some diseases.
Radiation is used to kill cancer cells.
Radioactive isotopes are directed at tumors from outside the body.

Answer 1

The statements that best describe medical uses for radioactive isotopes are:

1. Radioactive isotopes are used to detect medical problems. - True. Radioactive isotopes are commonly used in diagnostic imaging, such as PET scans and SPECT scans, to identify medical issues.

2. High-energy gamma rays are injected into the body. - This statement is not accurate as stated. While radioactive isotopes emit gamma rays, what is usually injected is not high-energy gamma rays, but rather the radioactive isotopes themselves which then emit gamma rays.

3. Radioactive isotopes are used to treat some diseases. - True. Radioactive isotope therapy, such as iodine-131 for thyroid treatments, is a common application.

4. Radiation is used to kill cancer cells. - True. Radiation therapy uses high doses of radiation, including from radioactive isotopes, to kill cancer cells.

5. Radioactive isotopes are directed at tumors from outside the body. - This statement is generally true as it refers to external beam radiation therapy, where radiation is directed at tumors from a machine outside the body.

So, the true statements are:

• Radioactive isotopes are used to detect medical problems.
• Radioactive isotopes are used to treat some diseases.
• Radiation is used to kill cancer cells.
• Radioactive isotopes are directed at tumors from outside the body.