Which radionuclide is approved for manual brachytherapy?

The approval of Palladium-103 for manual brachytherapy is rooted in its desirable physical and biological properties that make it suitable for treating certain types of cancer, particularly prostate cancer. Palladium-103 is a low-energy radionuclide that emits beta and gamma radiation, allowing for effective radiation treatment while limiting damage to adjacent healthy tissues. Its short half-life of approximately 17 days provides a rapid decay profile, which is beneficial for timely treatment responses.

In brachytherapy, the implantable sources are positioned close to or within tumors, enabling high doses of localized radiation with minimal exposure to surrounding organs. The handling and placement of Palladium-103 sources are manageable with manual techniques, ensuring precision targeting of the cancerous tissue. Thus, it is an approved and widely utilized radionuclide in clinical applications for manual brachytherapy.

Other radionuclides mentioned, like Cesium-137, Gold-198, and Iridium-192, each have their own applications in brachytherapy but are often used in specific scenarios or with different techniques that may or may not be suited for manual implantation in the same way as Palladium-103.