n. treatment in which a radioactive substance is linked to an antibody that attaches to a specific type of tumour cell, thus delivering the radiation to the tumour and limiting damage to healthy cells. See monoclonal antibody.
n. a yellow metallic element, absorption of which causes bone damage when its atoms displace calcium in bone. The radioactive isotope strontium-90, which emits beta rays, is used in radiotherapy for the *contact therapy of skin and eye tumours and in *radioimmunotherapy in combination with *monoclonal antibodies. Another isotope, strontium-89 (Metastron), has an established role in the treatment of metastatic carcinoma: it is given by intravenous injection for the relief of pain due to bone metastases. Symbol: Sr.... strontium
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