Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine refers to the branch of medicine that involves administering Radioactive substances in order to diagnose and treat a number of medical conditions, including some forms of cancer. When used for monitoring or diagnosis of cancer, a number of Radionuclides will be administered, through IV, oral route or inhalation. These Radionuclides are derivatives of Radioactive elements including Gallium, Technetium, Xenon, Thallium, and Iodine.
Basically, which Radionuclide is suitable for the nuclear imaging or scan depends on the target organ and the type of diagnosis. In contrast to the traditional imaging techniques which focus on the primary structures only, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging procedures can visualize the body's functioning at molecular and cellular level. This allows the cancer specialist to identify disease in its earliest stages. The scans are also used to decide if the treatment is working and to devise more effective treatment for the patients. At Shrimann AOI Cancer Care Centre, we boast of a well-equipped Nuclear Medicine Department, backed by a highly trained and experienced staff, ensuring global quality standards.
Professionals involved
- Nuclear Medicine Physician
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist
- Nurse
- Radiation Safety Officer
Type of facilities available
- Hybrid SPECT/CT scan
- Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scan
- PET-CT scan
- Discovery 600 PET-CT equipment
Benefits
- Ultramodern and advanced equipment
- Testing done under a strictly controlled, protective environment
- Team of experienced Nuclear Medicine Physicians and Radiologists
- Rapid report generation for early consultation
- Individualized patient care before, during, and after the Nuclear mMedicine Imaging
Side Effects
Side effects of nuclear medicine include pain and swelling at the site of injection, allergic reaction to medicines, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, and urinary tract infection.
Treatment Process
The process implemented during the imaging techniques involving nuclear medicine is non-invasive and virtually painless, as the patients only feel a slight discomfort at the time of injecting the nuclear medicine. Nuclear medicines are the derivatives of radioactive material. The most commonly used nuclear medicine is FDG or F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose in diagnosing cancer. As the cancer cells have high metabolic activity, they readily take nuclear medicine, which is then traced with the tracer device. In some cases, radiologists recommend the combination of PET and CT scans for better clarity and detailed information.