Status and problem of pain relief treatment for multiple bone metastases by strontium-89

Abstract

Strontium(⁸⁹Sr)chloride which is a radiopharmaceutical is effective for multiple bone metastatic pain. ⁸⁹Sr acts like a calcium metabolism, and it accumulates selectively to the accelerated bone metastatic portion.
The physical half life of ⁸⁹Sr is 50.5 days, and the nuclide emits a pure beta ray. Because the maximum energy of this beta ray is 1.49 MeV(100%) and the range in the organization is an average of 2.4 mm (a maximum of 8 mm), the energy is almost self-absorption and few influences around the people.
We review the outline of the ⁸⁹Sr treatment in present and suggest the use of this drug in future.