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Gadolinium Treatment

Gadolinium is a rare-earth metal that is known for its malleability and ability to absorb neutrons. Because of these properties, gadolinium is used for neutron radiography devices and nuclear reactors. As a medical treatment, free gadolinium ions are then manufactured into intravenous substances used to treat severe diseases, such as rare fast- growing cancers and renal failure.

  1. Functions

    • Gadolinium, when used for medical purposes, is an important metal for various medical equipment such as MRI and X-ray machines. Because of its ability to produce green phosphor, gadolinium helps in providing more accurate images during diagnostic procedures. Gadolinium crystals are used in more-advanced medical imaging machines to provide better, high-quality images such as positron emission topography and neutron detection.

    Medication

    • Gadolinium compounds are transformed into a drug called motexafin gadolinium, which is used in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Its intravenous form is included in chemotherapy and is suggested to reduce the proliferation of cancer cells up to the cancer's second stage of progression. Motexafin gadolinium is used in other cancer therapies such as radiotherapy, systemic corticosteroids and systemic biologic anticancer therapy.

    Eligibility

    • Persons eligible to undergo gadolinium treatment are patients facing stage two lymphocytic leukemia. These patients are diagnosed with a platelet count below 30,000 uL, and creatine levels above 2.0 mg/dL. Pregnant women and lactating mothers who are suffering from the disease are also allowed to undergo gadolinium treatment. Children are not eligible to undergo gadolinium treatment due to the compound's toxicity levels.

    Effects

    • Because of the metal's neutron-absorption capacities, gadolinium is able to neutralize cancer cells and reduce their activity at significant levels. Chelated gadolinium treatments also help reduce renal impairment by boosting ionic cleansing of the kidneys during dialysis. However, the amount of gadolinium used for medical treatment should be controlled, as it can be toxic and foster adverse effects on the patient's condition.

    Potential

    • The effects of gadolinium treatment have provided a lot of benefits for patients of lymphatic cancer and renal failure. For cancer patients, the use of gadolinium treatment has helped retard the progress of cancer cells in the body. However, while gadolinium promises great potential in treating such illnesses, it is expensive, thus patients find it difficult to obtain treatment. Its effects are also currently under rigorous study, as doctors still have to learn how safe it for human use as far as the element's toxicity.

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