It is a branch of medicine in which radioactive substances are used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. It is used to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases, such as heart diseases and certain endocrine disorders. It is known for being able to detect diseases at very early stages and providing information at the cellular level.
Who Can Get Nuclear Medicine Treatment?
Nuclear medicine treatments can be used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. It is an effective tool in the management of various diseases under certain conditions.
Nuclear medicine is used especially in the diagnosis and treatment of some types of cancer. Nuclear medicine methods can be used to evaluate heart muscle blood flow and diagnose coronary artery disease. These types of scans help determine which areas of the heart are not receiving enough blood. This is an important factor in determining treatment options.
Thyroid gland diseases are one of the most common indications for nuclear medicine treatments. Radioactive iodine is used especially in the treatment of overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
Nuclear medicine is used to detect abnormalities or infections in bones. This is usually done through a procedure called a bone scan. Nuclear medicine techniques are used in the diagnosis of some neurological diseases.
is extremely useful, especially for patients with the mentioned conditions. However, its feasibility is evaluated taking into account the patient's general health condition and relevant medical history.
How is Nuclear Medicine Treatment Done?
Nuclear medicine treatment is an advanced medical practice in which radioactive isotopes are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This treatment method plays an effective role in the management of heart diseases and some endocrine disorders.
It involves using specially designed radioactive isotopes to target diseased tissues. These isotopes are usually given by injection into the patient's body. Radioactive substances can be administered directly intravenously or orally.
The injected radioactive isotopes circulate in the body. It targets specifically targeted organs or tissues. These isotopes tend to accumulate in diseased cells. This feature allows doctors to gain valuable information about the location and spread of the disease.
In the treatment, the radiation emitted by radioactive isotopes is detected by special cameras. These devices provide a visual map of the distribution of radioactive substances within the body.
When radioactive isotopes reach targeted diseased cells, they emit radiation. This radiation can damage the DNA of target cells, stopping them from growing. This process is used specifically for thyroid cancer and some types of cancers with metastases.
After treatment, patients require regular visits to evaluate their progress. During these visits, doctors perform additional imaging tests and observe the effects of radiation.
It is a process that requires a high degree of expertise and requires careful planning and implementation. Patient safety and treatment effectiveness are ensured by correct isotope selection, careful dose adjustment and continuous medical monitoring.
How Long Does Nuclear Medicine Treatment Take?
Nuclear medicine treatments are a branch of medicine in which radioactive substances are used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The duration of treatment may vary depending on the type of treatment used, the patient's health condition and response to treatment.
This treatment is used especially in cases of thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. Treatment is usually accomplished by taking a single dose of radioactive iodine. Patients usually take this radioactive iodine orally, and the process only takes a few minutes.
This method, used in the treatment of blood diseases, is generally applied to reduce high plasma cell counts. Treatment is usually done with a single injection and takes a few minutes. However, it may take several weeks before the full effect of the treatment is observed.
This method, used in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors, requires several treatment sessions. There is usually a gap of several weeks between each session and each treatment session can last several hours. The total treatment process usually covers several months.
This treatment, used for targeted cancers such as brain tumors, is usually completed within a single session. The treatment process, including preparation, may take several hours. Follow-up is required to evaluate treatment effectiveness and monitor for long-term side effects. Depending on the patient's condition and response to treatment, these monitoring periods may vary from a few weeks to several years.
Each Because it is specific, the duration of treatment varies depending on individual health status and treatment-specific factors. Patients should maintain close communication with their healthcare providers to clarify their treatment process and expectations.