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BARC develops Eye Cancer therapy

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Science & Technology
  • Published
    2nd Jan, 2021

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mumbai has developed Eye Cancer therapy in the form of the first indigenous Ruthenium 106 Plaque for treatment of Ocular Tumours.

Key-highlights

  • The handling of plaque is very convenient for the Surgeon and it has been acknowledged to be at par with the international standards.
  • So far, the BARC plaques made in India through the Department of Atomic Energy have been used for seven cases for Ocular Cancer:
    • 2- Retinoblastoma
    • 2- Choroidal Melanoma
    • 2- Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia (OSSN)
    • 1- case of Choroidal Hemangioma

Ocular Tumors

  • Ocular tumors are tumors inside the eye.
  • They are collections of cells that grow and multiply abnormally and form masses.
  • They can be benign or malignant. In adults the most common type is metastatic, from another part of the body (lung, breast, prostate, etc).

What is ruthenium-106?

  • Ruthenium-106 is a radioactive form of the rare heavy metal ruthenium, which is a "platinum group" metal similar to platinum.
  • Radioactive isotopes or forms of elements naturally decay into other elements, giving off radiation in the process.
  • Ruthenium-106 is produced from the fission or splitting of uranium-235, the type of uranium used in nuclear fission reactors, so it's found in spent nuclear fuel. 

Verifying, please be patient.