Elements Used in Radiation Therapy. Radiation therapy is an important cancer treatment along with chemotherapy and surgery. The most famous type is probably gamma ray irradiation by radioactive cobalt-60.

Overview:
Cobalt is an element that is used in the treatment of cancer. It is specifically used in a medical procedure called Cobalt-60 therapy or radiation therapy. This treatment involves the use of radiation to target and kill cancer cells in the body. Cobalt-60, a radioactive isotope of cobalt, is the source of radiation used in this therapy.

Details:
1. Cobalt-60:
- Cobalt-60 is an isotope of cobalt that is radioactive.
- It emits high-energy gamma rays which can penetrate the body and target cancer cells.
- The half-life of cobalt-60 is 5.27 years, which means it remains radioactive for a significant period of time.

2. Cobalt-60 Therapy:
- Cobalt-60 therapy, also known as radiation therapy or radiotherapy, is a common treatment for cancer.
- It involves the use of a machine called a teletherapy unit or cobalt machine.
- The cobalt machine contains a sealed source of cobalt-60 that emits gamma rays.
- The machine directs the gamma rays to the specific area of the body where the cancer is located.
- The high-energy gamma rays damage the DNA of cancer cells, preventing them from growing and dividing.
- Over time, the damaged cancer cells die, reducing the size of the tumor or eliminating it altogether.

3. Advantages of Cobalt-60 Therapy:
- Cobalt-60 therapy is effective in treating a wide range of cancers, including lung, breast, prostate, and cervical cancer.
- It can be used as a primary treatment or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy.
- The treatment can be delivered externally, which means it does not require any surgical procedures.
- It is a non-invasive procedure, meaning there is no need for incisions or anesthesia.
- Cobalt-60 therapy can be targeted to specific areas of the body, minimizing damage to healthy tissues surrounding the tumor.

4. Precautions:
- Cobalt-60 therapy requires careful planning and precise delivery to ensure the radiation is directed at the tumor while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues.
- Patients undergoing cobalt-60 therapy may experience side effects such as fatigue, skin irritation, and hair loss, which are generally temporary.

Conclusion:
Cobalt, specifically in the form of cobalt-60, is used in the treatment of cancer through radiation therapy. This therapy involves the use of high-energy gamma rays emitted by cobalt-60 to target and kill cancer cells. Cobalt-60 therapy is an effective treatment option for various types of cancer and offers several advantages, including its non-invasiveness and ability to spare healthy tissues. However, precautions must be taken to ensure precise delivery of radiation and minimize side effects.

Cobalt therapy is medical use of gamma rays from the radioisotope cobalt-60 to treat the cancer patients...