Advances in Radiation-Based Cancer Imaging and Treatment

Frequently, we use the term “cancer” in a very broad manner. While it helps us quickly discuss it, it also hides the reality that “cancer” is not a singular disease. “Cancer” is a bucket term that captures many different issues that lead to diseases that display themselves in a similar fashion. Thus, questions regarding when we will cure “cancer” and why we have not yet, are difficult to answer. But, scientists are working to apply curative or alleviating methods to all cancers in an effort to decrease their impact on humanity. Some of these methods may be broadly applied while others address its many root causes. This series explores two of the most promising routes to therapeutically help us address “cancer” and cancers.

Radiation is the emission of particles or waves from unstable atoms. While radiation can be harmful at high doses, it also has important medical uses for diagnosing and treating diseases like prostate cancer. Scientists can attach radioactive atoms to drugs that target proteins found on cancer cells, allowing them to see the location of tumors in the body or deliver damaging radiation directly to the cancer. Although these targeted radiation therapies are not perfect and can sometimes affect healthy tissues, they are providing new hope to extend survival for patients with aggressive, late-stage prostate cancer.