Radioisotope Therapy

Radioisotope therapy is a procedure in which a liquid form of radiation is administered internally through infusion or injection. RIT's ultimate purpose is to treat cancerous cells with minimal damage to the normal surrounding tissue. These therapies are not normally the first approach used to fight a patient's cancer. Instead, they are more likely to be used after other therapies. Initial radioisotope therapy is relatively brief, as many forms of the therapy are administered via a series of injections or single infusions. These injections or infusions can often be followed by a short period of radiation application, normally around one week. While the amount of radiation in a patient's body following radioisotope therapy will be higher than normal, those levels will recede with time, usually no more than a few days. The most common side effect from radioisotope therapy is a feeling of tiredness for a few weeks. Radioisotope therapy can treat a wide variety of cancers, including bone metastases, brain cancer, thyroid cancer, bile duct cancer, liver cancer, and neuroblastoma. Radioisotope therapy can also be useful as an adjuvant, or assisting, therapy when combined with other forms of cancer therapy.

Why UAB

UAB Radiation Oncology offers a wide range of advanced treatment techniques in radiation therapy including triggered imaging radiosurgery, Gamma Knife surgery, medical dosimetry, Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy, Brachytherapy, External Beam Radiation Therapy, Image-Guided Radiotherapy, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, radioisotope therapy, Stereotactic body radiation therapy, Total Body Irradiation, and Total Skin Irradiation.

In keeping with our position as a leading academic medical center, UAB’s research is at the forefront of medicine, providing our patients with the latest and most innovative medical treatment and technology. Our physicians utilize state-of-the-art technology that can precisely target tumors while sparing healthy tissue.

UAB physicians, nurses, and clinical staff create and encourage a supportive and caring environment for patients. They understand what it is like to be on the patient side of the table and consider that in every stage of care. They encourage patients to take an active and informed role in their health and treatment, while tailoring care plans and guidance to each patient’s individual needs.

We recognize that delivering the best clinical outcomes is our primary goal, but we also understand that how we deliver those outcomes determines the overall quality of your interaction with us. When we work in the laboratory, we realize that that our families and future generations are counting on us to develop novel clinical solutions to today’s health problems. When we teach tomorrow’s healthcare professionals, we are shaping tomorrow’s leaders in clinical care and research. When we treat today’s patients, we are aiding the great leaders of tomorrow.

UAB Radiation Oncology clinicians are at the forefront of modern medicine. Their work with the greatest medical minds of today, along with their training of the physicians and researchers of tomorrow, leaves them well-versed in the latest clinical practices and in the creation of promising treatment options for tomorrow.

Images and Videos

Welcome to the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB

Personalized cancer treatment focused on one patient at a time.

PHYSICIANS

Markus Bredel, MD, PhD

Omer L. Burnett, MD

Michael C. Dobelbower, MD, PhD

John B. Fiveash, MD

Rojymon Jacob, MD

Kimberly S. Keene, MD

Robert Kim, MD

Ruby F. Meredith, MD, PhD

Sharon A. Spencer, MD

Christopher D. Willey, MD, PhD

Eddy Yang, MD

Related Conditions

This procedure may be used to treat or diagnose several different conditions. We have listed some of these conditions below for your convenience. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list and may vary depending on your specific diagnosis.

Lymphoma

CLINICAL TRIALS

UAB is an active participant in research and clinical trials for Radioisotope Therapy. We encourage you to speak to your physician about research and clinical trial options and browse the link below for more information on clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov.

View Clinical Trials