External and internal radiation therapy: Past and future directions

Abstract

Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the modern world. Treatment modalities comprise radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Radiation therapy can be performed by using external or internal radiation therapy. However, each method has its unique properties which undertakes special role in cancer treatment, this question is brought up that: For cancer treatment, whether external radiation therapy is more efficient or internal radiation therapy one? To answer this question, we need to consider principles and structure of individual methods. In this review, principles and application of each method are considered and finally these two methods are compared with each other.

Gamma irradiation of ocular melanoma and lymphoma cells in the presence of gold nanoparticles: in vitro study

“…Plaque brachytherapy is the most widely applied technique for choroidal melanoma radiotherapy. Radioactive plaques are placed on the exterior of the tumor to deliver high‐dose radiation to the tumor while reducing radiation exposure in surrounding healthy tissues 10, 11, 12…”

Internal radiotherapy techniques using radiolanthanide praseodymium-142: a review of production routes, brachytherapy, unsealed source therapy

“…With an increasing interest in therapeutic nuclear medicine, there has been a rapid expansion in the use of therapeutic radionuclides [3]. Currently, radionuclide therapy in humans is based almost exclusively on energetic b --particle emitting isotopes [4,5]. Radionuclides of rare earth elements are gaining importance as emerging therapeutic agents in nuclear medicine [6].…”

Radiochemical Separation of ¹⁶¹Tb from Gd/Tb Matrix Using Ln Resin Column

“…The killing of cancer cells is achieved using biological vectors and appropriate radionuclides [4][5][6]. Antibodies and antibody fragments as well as peptides are used as tracer molecules [5,7]. While, the radioisotopes are particle emitter that are able to deposit a high amount of energy in small volume via a high linear energy transfer (LET) [8,9].…”

“…Endoradiotherapy or targeted radionuclide therapy is an evolving and promising modality of cancer treatment [4]. The killing of cancer cells is achieved using biological vectors and appropriate radionuclides [4][5][6]. Antibodies and antibody fragments as well as peptides are used as tracer molecules [5,7].…”