● Alpha, beta, gamma, proton, neutron, and positron emissions are all used for medical treatment.
● Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an application of NMR technology.
● Radiotherapy can be internal and/or external.
● Targeted alpha therapy (TAT) and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) are two methods which
are used in cancer treatment.

​Guidance
Isotopes used in nuclear medicine include Tc-99m, Lu-177, Y-90, I-131, and Pb-212.

● Discussion of common side-effects from radiotherapy.
● Explanation of why technetium-99m is the most common radio isotope used in nuclear medicine based on its half-life, emission type, and chemistry.
● Explanation of why lutetium-177 and yttrium-90 are common isotopes used for radiotherapy
based on the type of radiation emitted.
● Balancing nuclear equations involving alpha and beta particles.
● Calculation of the percentage and amount of radioactive material decayed and remaining after a certain period of time using the nuclear half-life equation.
● Explanation of TAT and how it might be used to treat diseases that have spread throughout the
body.

​Guidance
Common side-effects discussed should include hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and sterility. Discussion should
include the damage to DNA and growing or regenerating tissue.