Radionuclide Therapy for the Treatment of Microscopic Ovarian Carcinoma: An Overview

Cancer comprises a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that spread from the anatomical site of origin. For many types of cancer, surgery alone has proven inadequate, necessitating a broader approach to treatment incorporating chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Of particular recent interest has been the use of α-emitters in the treatment of microscopic carcinoma. The effective application of these materials requires an understanding of the physical and biological bases of radiation therapy. In addition, both radiochemical and radionuclidic purity are essential in all clinical applications. Recent work with the α-emitting radionuclide bismuth-212 offers considerable promise in the treatment of microscopic ovarian carcinoma resistant to conventional treatment modalities. Ongoing improvements in methods for its preparation are expected to further improve its therapeutic utility.