Cesium-137: Is this radioactive substance, once widely used in medical circles, dangerous?

Cesium-137: Is this radioactive substance, once widely used in medical circles, dangerous? 

Cesium-137 is one of the radioactive substances widely exploited in industrial and erstwhile medical fields for differing purposes. Adhering to precautional measures is crucial for its safe use as any other radioactive substance. Today Dr. Yongyut Kongthanarat, a radiation oncologist, is here to help us better understand cesium-137.

What is Cesium-137?

Cesium-137 is a radioactive soft metal that emits gamma and beta radiation, the same as X-ray, but with four times penetrating power. Cesium-137 was formerly a medical radiation source for cervical cancer treatment. It is a component of industrial measurement devices, such as liquid flow rate through pipes or particulate matter counts.

This element constantly emits radiation with a long half-life of 30.17 years. In addition, a cesium-137 source is inexpensive because of its long life without requiring replacement.

Does MedPark Hospital use a cesium-137 source?

Over 30 years ago, hospitals used cesium-137 for brachytherapy, placing it in an after loader machine, due to its long half-life and low cost.

The disadvantage of cesium-137 is, in small quantity, it does not have a high level of radiation. Therefore, its cancer treatment efficiency is limited, requiring a whole day for the brachytherapy procedure. In addition, at that time, cesium-137 could be used for cervical cancer treatment only.

Nowadays, Iridium-192 is widely used in the medical field for cancer treatment because miniaturization into tiny seeds for placement into any organ is feasible with much higher radiation concentration. Therefore, it is a highly efficient radiation source for various types of cancer treatment, particularly prostate cancer. However, a multidisciplinary team of experts is necessary due to the intricate and high-complexity treatment steps for brachytherapy using iridium-192. Globally, only a handful of medical institutions provide this service, and MedPark is one of them.

MedPark utilizes Iridium-192 for the most effective treatment.

MedPark Hospital utilizes Iridium-192 and state-of-the-art brachytherapy equipment for cancer treatments.

Currently, cervical cancer prevalence is declining because of highly effective prevention with HPV vaccines. This treatment is eminently applicable to the increasingly more prevalent prostate cancer due to the rise of the aging population in Thailand. The technology deployed at MedPark ensures the most effective prostate cancer treatment. This non-surgical methodology provides the same cure rate as a surgical procedure, forestalling the pain and a lengthy postoperative stay in the hospital.

Our team of expert physicians and medical professionals provides attentive care at every step of the process; regardless of how complicated or intricate the prostate cancer treatment process is, our staff, with advanced medical technology, is on hand to provide service to our fullest potential.

Health effects of cesium-137 exposure

The cesium-137 source is regulated and overseen by the Office of Atoms for Peace, ensuring safety in the element utilizations. In case of unexpected loss, or theft, this radioactive material inside a lead container is unlikely to disperse.

In case of a leakage, it is unlikely that cesium-137 exposure would cause instant death due to its low radiant energy density, as mentioned above. Nevertheless, it may cause skin rashes.

Exposure level depends on the distance between a human and the radiation source, the exposure duration, and the amount of the radiation source. High radiation exposure can cause gene mutation but is not fatal, unlike exposure to a highly radioactive source like cobalt.

Precaution when a cesium-137 source is missing or leaked.

Cesium-137 has been in use for a long time. Therefore, standardized processes and management are well developed to ensure its safe use. However, storage and usage must strictly follow the stipulations in the law. In case of loss or leakage, the owner(s) of the radiation source must notify relevant authorities to manage, follow up, and resolve the issue as soon as possible to lower the risk of exposure and prevent public panic.

Citizens should stay tuned for news updates from government authorities and follow official instructions, depending on the situation.