National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute
U.S. National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute
Dictionary of Cancer Terms
Send to Printer
radioactive palladium (RAY-dee-oh-AK-tiv puh-LAY-dee-um)

 A radioactive form of palladium (a metallic element that resembles platinum). When used to treat prostate cancer, radioactive seeds (small pellets that contain radioactive palladium) are placed in the prostate. Cancer cells are killed by the energy given off as the radioactive material breaks down and becomes more stable.

Previous Definitions:radical vulvectomy, radioactive, radioactive drug, radioactive fallout, radioactive iodine
Next Definitions:radioactive seed, radiofrequency ablation, radioimaging, radioimmunodiagnostics, radioimmunoguided surgery