Lutetium is primarily used in the field of nuclear medicine and medical imaging. Its isotope, lutetium-177, is especially valuable in targeted radionuclide therapy for treating neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer. When bound to specific peptides or molecules, lutetium-177 delivers radiation directly to cancer cells, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. In addition to medical applications, lutetium serves as a catalyst in petroleum refining processes, particularly in cracking hydrocarbons to produce gasoline and other fuels. It enhances reaction efficiency and selectivity in certain organic syntheses. Lutetium compounds are also used in specialized optical materials, such as scintillation detectors, which are essential in positron emission tomography (PET) scanners. These detectors help convert radiation into measurable light signals, improving diagnostic accuracy. Research is ongoing into using lutetium-based materials in advanced electronics and quantum computing due to their unique magnetic and luminescent properties.