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ra·dio·iso·to·pic -.ī-sə-'täp-ik, -'tōp-ik adj
ra·dio·iso·to·pi·cal·ly -i-k(ə-)lē adv
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n.
an isotope of an element that emits alpha, beta, or gamma radiation during its decay into another element. Artificial radioisotopes, produced by bombarding elements with beams of neutrons, are widely used in medicine as tracer and as sources of radiation for the different techniques of radiotherapy.
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ra·dio·iso·tope (ra″de-o-iґsə-tōp) an isotope which is radioactive; one having an unstable nucleus and emitting characteristic radiation during its decay to a stable form. Radioisotopes have important diagnostic and therapeutic uses in clinical medicine and research. See also radiopharmaceutical and radiotherapy.Medical dictionary. 2011.