Samarium-153

Samarium-153‏‎ is a radioisotope of the element samarium, symbolized as Sm-153. It is a synthetic isotope, produced in nuclear reactors through the neutron bombardment of natural samarium.

Production

The production of Samarium-153‏‎ involves the irradiation of natural samarium in a nuclear reactor. The samarium absorbs a neutron, transforming it into Samarium-153‏‎. This process is known as neutron capture.

Properties

Samarium-153‏‎ is a beta emitter, meaning it emits beta particles during radioactive decay. It also emits a significant amount of gamma radiation, which allows it to be used in medical imaging. Its half-life is approximately 46.3 hours, making it suitable for therapeutic applications.

Medical Applications

Samarium-153‏‎ is used in medicine, particularly in the treatment of cancer. It is used in a form known as Samarium-153‏‎ lexidronam (Quadramet), which is a complex of Samarium-153‏‎ with a bone-seeking carrier molecule. This allows the radioisotope to be delivered directly to bone metastases, where it delivers a high dose of radiation to the cancer cells.

Samarium-153‏‎ lexidronam is used primarily in the treatment of bone metastases from prostate cancer, but it can also be used in the treatment of bone metastases from other types of cancer. It can also be used in the treatment of pain associated with bone metastases.

Safety

As with all radioisotopes, Samarium-153‏‎ must be handled with care to prevent unnecessary exposure to radiation. It is typically handled and administered by trained radiation therapy professionals.

See Also

• Radioisotope
• Radiopharmaceutical
• Radiation therapy