Microspheres comprising therapeutic and diagnostic radioactive isotopes

One aspect of the present invention relates to a microsphere impregnated with a radioisotope that emits therapeutic ß-particles and a radioisotope that emits diagnostic gamma radiation; wherein the atomic number of the first radioisotope is not the same as the atomic number of the second radioisotope. In one preferred embodiment, the microsphere is composed of glass impregnated with 90 Y as the source of the therapeutic ß-emissions and 98 Au as the source of the diagnostic gamma emissions. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the preparation of a microsphere impregnated with a radioisotope that emits therapeutic ß-particles and a radioisotope that emits diagnostic gamma radiation; wherein the atomic number of the first radioisotope is not the same as the atomic number of the second radioisotope. In one preferred embodiment, a glass microsphere containing 90 Y and 198 Au is prepared by neutron activation of a glass microsphere comprising glass, 89 Y and 197 Au. Another aspect of the present invention relates to administration to a mammal of a therapeutically effective amount of microspheres impregnated with a ß-emitting radioisotope and a gamma emitting radioisotope; wherein the atomic number of the first radioisotope is not the same as the atomic number of the second radioisotope. In one preferred embodiment, said microspheres are administered to the patient through a catheter.