Which of the following describes Yttrium-90?

Yttrium-90 is characterized as a pure beta emitter, which means that its primary mode of decay involves the emission of beta particles (high-energy electrons) without the simultaneous release of gamma radiation. This property is significant because it allows for targeted internal radiation therapy, particularly in the treatment of certain types of cancer, such as liver tumors. The ability to deliver concentrated doses of radiation directly to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue is one of the primary advantages of using beta-emitting isotopes like Yttrium-90.

In clinical settings, this property is leveraged in procedures such as radioembolization, where Yttrium-90 microspheres are injected into the blood supply of a tumor, leading to localized radiation therapy. Understanding the type of emissions (in this case, beta emissions) helps in predicting the effects and planning the treatment protocols properly.

The other aspects of Yttrium-90, such as its half-life of approximately 64 hours (not 10 days) and its classification as a form of particle therapy, do not apply in the same way. Yttrium-90 is indeed used in the context of particle therapy, but describing it as a pure beta emitter specifically highlights its function in