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Biotech / Medical : Theragenics (TGX) on the up and up
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To: Martin Savitska who wrote (962)7/9/1998 4:48:00 PM
From: seedy  Read Replies (2) of 1055
 
Marty, your questions are not easily answered without giving you a course in radiation biology. However, I'll tell you what I can:

1. Palladium is usually used for a tumor which is growing more rapidly and has a higher grade. Cancer cells which grow rapidly have a better response to radiation so it is to the patients benefit to give them a big blast of radiation in a shorter period of time (Palladium has a 17 day half life). Of course, cancers which grow rapidly are more dangerous.

2. Most prostate cancers are slow growing. Slower growing cancers don't respond to radiation as well so a seed like Iodine which delivers its radiation more slowly (60 day half life)irradiates the cells longer giving more killing time.

3. In my experience, it is the Radiation Oncologist who decides which isotope to use. The above is also in theory and long term studies are needed to really prove which is better.

4. Yes we use theragenics since that is the only place to get Pd. The delay is not as long.

5. Also, one of the best known courses in the seeding technique was full for several months last time I checked. Doctors and their teams are very interested in learning this technique. I'm sure we have not reached the peak in seed demand yet.

Mike
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