Running head: NUCLEAR MEDICINE 1
Nuclear Medicine
Name
Institution
, NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2
Nuclear Medicine
Introduction
Nuclear medicine entails a specialized area in modern medicine that uses radioactive
material to treat specific illnesses. Scientists use nuclear technology to examine organs, including
their functions and structure, and destroy harmful cells in various body parts. They use
radioactive substances called radiopharmaceuticals that get absorbed by body tissues. Some of
these materials include technetium, thallium, gallium, iodine, and xenon. In this regard, it is
easier to diagnose and effectively treat abnormalities like thyroid cancer in the early stages.
Notably, the kind of radiopharmaceutical used depends on the type of test and body part being
examined.
Radiation Types That Are Typically Exploited In Most Nuclear Medicine Procedures
Most nuclear medicine procedures utilize radiations during diagnosis or treatment of
diseases. In essence, scans are usually used to observe the functioning of body parts (Cherry et
al., 2018). For instance, doctors may use positron emission tomography (PET) scans to diagnose
different diseases. In this regard, they place a radioactive substance into the bloodstream and let
it travel to the specific part they want to access. They then observe the body organ or tissue using
special cameras. On the other hand, radioactive procedures are used to treat diseases by killing
affected body cells, including tumors and cancerous cells. For example, doctors may use the
brachytherapy procedure. In this case, they place small radioactive seeds inside or near an
affected tissue. Radiation from the seeds allows the destruction of the cells.
Preparing Patients for Nuclear Medicine Procedures
Preparing a patient for a nuclear medicine procedure takes several actions to enable
physicians conduct a safe and comfortable exercise. Notably, doctors start by asking about the
Nuclear Medicine
Name
Institution
, NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2
Nuclear Medicine
Introduction
Nuclear medicine entails a specialized area in modern medicine that uses radioactive
material to treat specific illnesses. Scientists use nuclear technology to examine organs, including
their functions and structure, and destroy harmful cells in various body parts. They use
radioactive substances called radiopharmaceuticals that get absorbed by body tissues. Some of
these materials include technetium, thallium, gallium, iodine, and xenon. In this regard, it is
easier to diagnose and effectively treat abnormalities like thyroid cancer in the early stages.
Notably, the kind of radiopharmaceutical used depends on the type of test and body part being
examined.
Radiation Types That Are Typically Exploited In Most Nuclear Medicine Procedures
Most nuclear medicine procedures utilize radiations during diagnosis or treatment of
diseases. In essence, scans are usually used to observe the functioning of body parts (Cherry et
al., 2018). For instance, doctors may use positron emission tomography (PET) scans to diagnose
different diseases. In this regard, they place a radioactive substance into the bloodstream and let
it travel to the specific part they want to access. They then observe the body organ or tissue using
special cameras. On the other hand, radioactive procedures are used to treat diseases by killing
affected body cells, including tumors and cancerous cells. For example, doctors may use the
brachytherapy procedure. In this case, they place small radioactive seeds inside or near an
affected tissue. Radiation from the seeds allows the destruction of the cells.
Preparing Patients for Nuclear Medicine Procedures
Preparing a patient for a nuclear medicine procedure takes several actions to enable
physicians conduct a safe and comfortable exercise. Notably, doctors start by asking about the
