Europium-152 as a potential substitute for cobalt-60 in radiation therapy.
Construction has begun of prototype europium-152 sources, with the principal goal of providing cost-effective teletherapy for emergent nations where prices for cobalt-60 are excessive, owing to replacement needs, and the use of linacs is economically prohibitive and technologically unfeasible. 152Eu sources (T1/2 = 13.4y vs T1/2 = 5.26y for 60Co) are designed for absorbed dose rates > 1.5 Gy/min at 1 m, with specific activities > 5 TBq/gm, allowing substitution into existing irradiators. Costs of 152Eu compare favorably with 60Co, taking account of extended useful lifetime.
Adelman
S L
SL
Accurad, Rochester, New York 14607, USA.
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003906:Developing Countries; D005063:Europium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011867:Radioisotope Teletherapy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D011868:Radioisotopes; D005063:Europium