What is Nuclear Medicine? (2) Print E-mail
Wednesday, 18 July 2007 12:27

  pdf          Nuclear Medicine poster    

This poster explains nuclear medicine in simple terms.

 

Nuclear Medicine covers the whole spectrum of medical diagnostic and investigational use of "unsealed" radionuclides, plus their therapeutic applications and the Society is committed to its safe practice and high quality throughout the United Kingdom.

Nuclear Medicine is older than CT, MRI and ultrasound.  It was first used in patients over 60 years ago.

Nuclear Medicine Imaging 

   
 A Gamma Camera
 A PET CT Scanner

Unlike most other methods of imaging the body, nuclear medicine describes organ function as well as structure.  This often makes earlier diagnosis possible. 

 

 

Nuclear Medicine Therapies 

Radiopharmaceuticals can be used to treat certain diseases.  In Europe the main therapies are:

  • Thyroid cancer and Hyperthyroidism

  • Lymphoma

  • Cancer bone pain

  • Joint pain and arthritis

 

The number of nuclear medicine therapies being developed and approved is increasing.

 		 A Bone Scan 
  Link to  "nuclear medicine"  Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 3  Oct.  2007 
  A technetium bone scan showing tumours