Production of therapeutic radionuclides by means of nuclear reactors

This chapter deals with nuclear data for reactor production of about 20 radionuclides distributed over the whole chart of the nuclides. They are either already routinely used in radionuclide therapy or show some potential for therapeutic applications. Among them, 131I (T1/2 = 8.02 d) is by far the most important therapeutic radionuclide, having an established place in the management of follicular thyroid carcinoma. The other radioiodine, 125I (T1/2 = 59.41 d), is commonly used in brachytherapy but more important is its use in Auger electron therapy, provided suitable chemical compounds can be proposed.