Sign In



Remember Me

MedlinePlus®

A service of the National Library of Medicine.

Resource Library


Powered by Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Healthcare Consumers
 

This information is provided by an independent source. Merck & Co., Inc. is not responsible for this content. Please discuss any and all treatment options with your healthcare professional. The manufacturer of a product generally has the most complete information about that product.
 
Return to Main Index >> How to Use  
 


Dorland Logo
A |  B |  C |  D |  E |  F |  G |  H |  I |  J |  K |  L |  M |  N |  O |  P |  Q |  R |  S |  T |  U |  V |  W |  X |  Y |  Z

 
radium(Ra)  (raŽde-әm)   a chemical element, atomic number 88, atomic weight, 226. Radium is highly radioactive and is found in uranium degradation processes. Radium-226 has a half-life of 1622 years. It and its short-lived decay products emit alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. One of the decay products, radon-222, is a radioactive gas. In clinical use, radium must be enclosed in a metal container that stops alpha and beta particles and traps radon. Radium is used in radiation therapy for malignant diseases, particularly those that are readily accessible, such as tumors of the uterine cervix, mouth, or tongue. In the form of needles or pellets, it can be inserted into tumorous tissue (interstitial implantation) and left in place until its rays penetrate and destroy malignant cells. It can also be used in the form of plaques applied to the diseased tissue.




Elsevier Logo
Copyright 2007. An Elsevier publication. All rights reserved.
Click here for important legal information about Dorland's Medical Dictionary.

 
 
    Print This Page   Add To My Folder