Nuclear Medıcıne

What Is Nuclear Medicine?

Nuclear medicine is a modern medical specialty that uses radioactive substances (radiopharmaceuticals) and advanced imaging technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. These methods allow evaluation not only of the anatomical structure of organs but also of their functions and biological processes.

Nuclear medicine applications are used in a wide range of conditions—from cancer and cardiovascular diseases to neurological, bone, and endocrine disorders—and play a critical role in early diagnosis, accurate staging, and guiding treatment decisions.

What Diseases Does Nuclear Medicine Treat?

Nuclear medicine works in close collaboration with many medical specialties, especially oncology.

• Cancer diagnosis, staging, and treatment follow-up
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Thyroid and parathyroid disorders
• Bone diseases and bone metastases
• Kidney and urinary system disorders
• Neurological diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy)
• Infection and inflammation detection
• Lymphatic system disorders

Imaging Methods Used in Nuclear Medicine

PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography / Computed Tomography)

PET/CT is an advanced imaging method that can detect diseases at a very early stage by visualizing cellular metabolism. It is widely used for:

• Cancer diagnosis and staging
• Evaluation of treatment response
• Cardiac and neurological diseases

SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography)

This method evaluates organ blood flow and function and is commonly used in cardiac, brain, and bone disorders.

Scintigraphy

A fundamental nuclear medicine technique used to assess the function of specific organs.

Common applications include:

• Bone scintigraphy
• Thyroid scintigraphy
• Renal scintigraphy
• Gallium and infection scintigraphy

Oncologic (Cancer) Imaging and Examinations

Cancer Staging with PET/CT

PET/CT provides simultaneous information about tumor spread and metabolic activity, offering significant advantages in treatment planning.

Bone Scintigraphy

Used for the early detection of bone metastases, particularly in breast, prostate, and lung cancers.

Gallium Scintigraphy

Highly sensitive for detecting infection and inflammation sites.

Cardiovascular System Examinations

Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy

Evaluates blood flow to the heart muscle and is used in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

Cardiac PET Imaging

Provides high accuracy in assessing myocardial viability and early detection of vascular diseases.

Endocrine System (Hormonal) Examinations

Thyroid Scintigraphy

Evaluates thyroid gland function and the activity of thyroid nodules.

Parathyroid Scintigraphy

Used in the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid adenomas.

Kidney and Urinary System Examinations

• DTPA and MAG3 renal scintigraphy
• Dynamic and static renal scintigraphy

These methods assess renal blood flow, filtration capacity, and urinary tract function.

Brain Imaging Studies

Brain PET Imaging

Used in the evaluation of:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Brain tumors

Cerebral Perfusion Scintigraphy

Used in the diagnosis of stroke, dementia, and migraine.

Lymphatic System Examinations

Lymphoscintigraphy

Evaluates lymphatic drainage and is used in the assessment of lymphedema and lymphatic obstruction.

Sentinel Lymph Node Scintigraphy

Identifies the first site of cancer spread in diseases such as breast cancer and melanoma.

Treatment Methods in Nuclear Medicine

Radioactive Iodine (Iodine-131) Therapy

Used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.

Radionuclide Therapies

• Lutetium-177 (Lu-177)
• Yttrium-90 (Y-90)
• Strontium-89, Samarium-153

These therapies target cancer cells directly, providing effective and controlled treatment outcomes.

Preparation for Nuclear Medicine Procedures

• Fasting may be required for certain examinations
• Medication use may need temporary adjustment
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding must be reported
• Drinking plenty of fluids after the procedure is recommended

Are Nuclear Medicine Procedures Safe?

The radioactive substances used are administered in low doses and are eliminated from the body in a short time. All procedures comply with international radiation safety standards.

Side effects are rare and generally mild.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nuclear Medicine

How long does a PET/CT scan take?
Approximately 30–60 minutes.

Is scintigraphy painful?
No.

Is radiation harmful?
The radiation doses used are within safe limits.

When are the results available?
On the same day or within a few days.