Polonium is an alpha-emitter, and is used as an alpha-particle source in the form of a thin film on a stainless steel disc. These are used in antistatic devices and for research purposes. A single gram of polonium will reach a temperature of 500°C as a result of the alpha radiation emitted.

Dimercaprol has been used to treat poisoning with the heavy metals mercury, gold, bismuth, antimony, thallium, and lead. It has been used with some success to chelate polonium.

In 1898, the Curies discovered the existence of the elements radium and polonium in their research of pitchblende. One year after isolating radium, they would share the 1903 Nobel Prize in physics with French scientist A. Henri Becquerel for their groundbreaking investigations of radioactivity.

The radium gave off alpha particles, which hit the atoms in the phosphor. The alpha particles forced the electrons in these atoms to jump to a higher energy level. But the radium which killed them did not have a green glow — it was the phosphor that glowed green.

A Radium bomb is a weapon using the element Radium instead of Uranium. The only nation to have used them is Europa, which was also the first to develop them.

During the first few days after intake, radium concentrates heavily on bone surfaces and then gradually shifts its primary deposition site to bone volume. Because of its short radioactive half-life, about 90% of the 224Ra atoms that decay in bone decay while on the surfaces.

Foods to avoid or reduce during radiation therapy include sodium (salt), added sugars, solid (saturated) fats, and an excess of alcohol. Some salt is needed in all diets. Your doctor or dietitian can recommend how much salt you should consume based on your medical history.

The cumulative maximum activity excreted in the initial 8-h period following the Ra administration was 2.6% that increased to 39% at 48 h. The median excreted activity at ~1 and 6 weeks after treatment was 70 and 86%, respectively. Skeletal retention of Ra at 6 weeks ranged from 11 to 60% of the administered activity.

Since radiation therapy is focused on one area of your body, you may experience fewer side effects than with chemotherapy. However, it may still affect healthy cells in your body. Side effects of radiation may include: digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea.

Radium-223 may also reduce PSA levels. As most know, PSA levels are an indicator of cancer progression, with higher PSA values corresponding to worse outcomes. A significantly larger proportion of the radium-223 patients experienced at least a 30% reduction in PSA levels compared to the men who received a placebo.

According to the drug manufacturer, 6 cycles of treatment with radium- 223 cost $69,000.16 For comparison, docetaxel (Taxotere) costs approximately $14,500 for a course of 10 cycles plus ancillary costs; enzalutamide costs approximately $60,000 for 8 months of treatment; and a treatment course of sipuleucel-T costs …

Results. Median overall survival was 14.9 months for the men assigned to receive radium-223 and 11.3 months for those assigned to the placebo.

The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 10%) for patients taking Radium 223 Dichloride:

• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Swelling of the lower legs and hands [peripheral edema]
• Low blood counts. Your white and red blood cells and platelet counts may temporarily decrease.

A new radiopharmaceutical, Radium-223 (trade name Xofigo) has been recently approved by the FDA for monthly injection over six months. It can provide symptom control, pain relief, and improved survival among CRPC patients with bone metastases. The therapy is covered by Medicare.

The cost for Xofigo intravenous solution – is around $26,457 for a supply of 1 solution, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans. Xofigo is available as a brand name drug only, a generic version is not yet available.

A9606 is a valid 2021 HCPCS code for Radium ra-223 dichloride, therapeutic, per microcurie or just “Radium ra223 dichloride ther” for short, used in Diagnostic radiology.