In Petten, NRG PALLAS produces the foundation for, among other things, two important medical isotopes: technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and lutetium-177 (Lu-177). These substances are used worldwide to help patients, but their applications are very different.
Detecting Diseases
Technetium-99m is the most widely used radioactive substance in hospitals for diagnostics: detecting diseases in patients. Every year, millions of patients around the world are examined using this isotope. Tc-99m emits a special type of radiation (gamma radiation), which allows doctors to create images of the inside of the body. This helps in identifying, among other things, blood flow problems in the heart, cancer metastases in bones, or abnormalities in organ function.
"From order to production, timing is crucial in the production of medical isotopes—you can’t store them,” says Maurits Bal, Manager of the Irradiation Chain Operations Office. “With the right timing, and in close coordination with pharmaceutical companies, we make sure that hospitals receive the radioactive substances at exactly the right moment. This ensures that patients get their diagnosis when they need it.”
One major advantage of Tc-99m is that it quickly leaves the body due to its short half-life. This means that the radiation exposure for the patient is minimal.
Treating Cancer
Lutetium-177 is mainly used to treat certain types of cancer, such as prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. This isotope works through a combination of two types of radiation: beta radiation, which destroys cancer cells, and a small amount of gamma radiation, which allows doctors to monitor the treatment by taking internal images that show the cancer’s location.
In an episode of Klokhuis, nuclear medicine specialist Dr. Wouter Vogel explains how medical isotopes work, including lutetium-177. “A lot of radiation is released, and that can shrink the cancer.” Watch the full video on the Klokhuis website.
Pharmaceutical companies link Lu-177 to a “carrier,” which ensures it specifically targets cancer cells. As a result, mainly the diseased cells are affected, while healthy tissue is largely spared.
The Key Difference
The biggest difference between Tc-99m and Lu-177 lies in their application: Tc-99m is used to detect diseases, while Lu-177 is primarily used to treat cancer. Tc-99m helps doctors make a clear diagnosis, while Lu-177 offers a targeted treatment for patients with specific forms of cancer.
Thanks to the production of these isotopes in Petten—currently with the HFR and soon with the new PALLAS reactor—these isotopes are available worldwide. Every day, more than 30,000 people are helped with these and other isotopes from NRG PALLAS. They play a crucial role in modern medicine and improve the lives of millions of patients.
Tc-99m and Lu-177 are great examples of how nuclear technology supports both the diagnosis and treatment of serious diseases.
