Which of the following is used in the treatment of Thyroid cancer : -
A
$I^{131}$
B
$U^{238}$
C
$Ra^{224}$
D
$C^{14}$
The answer is A.
Solution
The thyroid gland takes up iodine from the blood to make thyroxine. Radioactive iodine-131 given to a patient is selectively absorbed by thyroid tissue, including thyroid cancer cells. The radiation it emits ($\beta$ particles) destroys these cells while sparing most other tissues. I-131 is also used to treat hyperthyroidism and to study thyroid function. $C^{14}$ is used for dating, $U^{238}$ for dating rocks and as nuclear fuel source, and radium for older forms of radiotherapy. So $I^{131}$ is used in the treatment of thyroid cancer.
ConceptRadioactive iodine therapy
Cancer: Treatment in past papers
2 questions from this chapter have appeared across 1 exam years.
