A bone seeker is an element, often a radioisotope, that tends to accumulate in the bones of humans and other animals when it is introduced into the body. An example is 90Sr, which behaves chemically like calcium and can replace the calcium in bones. Other bone seekers include radium,[1][2] samarium, and plutonium.[2]
Bone-seeking elements are health risks but have uses in oncology.
See also
- ATC code V10B Pain palliation (bone seeking agents)
References
- ^ Stigbrand, Torgny; Carlsson, Jorgen; Adams, Gregory P. (2008-10-24). Targeted Radionuclide Tumor Therapy: Biological Aspects. Springer. pp. 183–. ISBN 978-1-4020-8695-3. Retrieved 19 July 2011.
- ^ a b Survival, causes of death, and estimated tissue doses in a group of human beings injected with plutonium, 751053, R. E. Rowland and Patricia W. Durbin, 1975.