Gold-198

Gold-198 is a radioisotope of gold, a chemical element represented by the symbol Au and atomic number 79. It is used in radiation therapy for treating certain medical conditions, particularly in oncology.

Production

Gold-198 is produced in a nuclear reactor by the irradiation of natural gold or gold-197 with neutrons. The reaction is represented as follows:

Au-197 + n → Au-198

The resulting gold-198 is a beta emitter with a half-life of 2.7 days.

Medical Uses

Gold-198 has been used in medicine for several decades. It is primarily used in the treatment of certain types of cancer, including prostate cancer and ocular melanoma. The gold-198 isotope is implanted into the tumor site, where it emits beta particles that kill the cancer cells.

In addition to its use in radiation therapy, gold-198 has also been used in diagnostic imaging. It can be used to create images of the kidney and other organs, helping doctors to diagnose and monitor various medical conditions.

Safety and Precautions

While gold-198 has many beneficial uses in medicine, it is also a radioactive substance and must be handled with care. Medical professionals who work with gold-198 must follow strict safety protocols to protect themselves and their patients from unnecessary radiation exposure.

See Also

• Radioisotope
• Radiation therapy
• Gold
• Nuclear reactor

References

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