Nuclear medicine uses imaging techniques like the Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), cardiovascular imaging and bone scanning. These techniques use radioactive elements as tracers for diagnosis. Tracers are used to trace the path of the atoms of an element in a chemical or biological process. Through this method, medications can be given as early as possible to prevent further complications and to have a greater possibility of eliminating the disease.
One of the problems of the human body is that it is opaque, making it hard for the doctors to examine what is happening inside the body. In the past, exploring the structure and composition of the body is usually painful and relatively expensive. With the advancement of science and technology, doctors now use techniques that do not need to explore the human body. X-rays, MRI scanners, CT scans, and ultrasound are part of these new non-invasive techniques. But there are some disadvantages in using this method like the overexposure to radiation which will damage some parts of the human body. On the contrary, nuclear medicine does not harm the body because it uses radioisotopes that disintegrate quickly. It will only take minutes to hours for the isotopes to decay. It has a lower radiation level to ensure the safety of the patients.
Nuclear medicine requires specially trained professionals to carry out the treatment. Physicians, technologists, nurses and pharmacists will take an intensive care and will monitor the patient. Radioisotopes will be injected into the body or a drink of a solution containing radiopharmaceuticals will be given to the patient to treat and detect certain conditions. It also involves the intravenous injection of radiopharmaceuticals to alleviate the pain from tumours that have spread to the bone. Patients having diagnostic scan will experience no pain except for an injection to a vein. They do not have to stay at the hospital for a long period of time. It will take them a few hours to stay at the nuclear medicine department. Patients who are undergoing nuclear therapy will not be asked to stay in the hospital for a long time. Usually patients are advised to stay at the hospital for three days not because it will bring health danger but because doctors have to monitor the excretion of the radiopharmaceuticals from their body.
A major advantage of using radioisotopes as tracers is that they are easy to detect. Even a minimal amount of it can be seen through a photographic devices know as counters. Geiger counter is the instrument used in medical laboratories to detect the radiations from the isotopes.
Surgery does not guarantee the total eradication of the cancer cells or thyroid tissues in the body. So the radioactive isotopes will be used to destroy all the remnant tissues or cells. After the treatments the isotopes will eventually decay and will no longer be radioactive. It will be excreted days after.
There are rare cases of side effects in nuclear treatment and scan. The common side effects of this treatment are nausea and swelling of the salivary glands. In rare cases, some cells are affected by the excess radiation from the isotopes specifically the fast growing cells like the hair cells, cells in the lining of stomach and intestines and blood cells.
Only some countries have the capacity and means to produce radiopharmaceuticals for nuclear medicine. The primary supplier and manufacturer is ANSTO. Their research reactor is located in Melbourne and Lucas Heights near Sydney. The production processes are regulated with strict quality controls and safety precautions. It is approved by the government to ensure that the radioisotopes will be safe for medical use.
In some countries like Philippines, nuclear medicine is not totally available to the public because of the lack of facilities, nuclear medicine doctors and equipments. In fact, there are only 30 nuclear medicine doctors and 20 centers in the Philippines and 16 out of it are located in Manila. The major problems of nuclear medicine in developing countries are the brain drain wherein the nuclear medicine doctors are leaving their own countries, under-utilization of nuclear medicine studies and expensive studies. There is also no university degree for nuclear medicine technologists and no domestic production of any single-photon radio nuclides or radiopharmaceuticals.
There are some organizations that are working on and promoting the nuclear medicine in different countries. In the Philippines, the Philippine Society of Nuclear Medicine (PNSM) is already holding conferences about nuclear medicine. The PNSM holds outreach program and nuclear medicine studies. They are now looking for more sources of radiopharmaceuticals and less expensive alternatives like Samarium. They are publishing journals about nuclear medicine to inform the public about the wonders of nuclear medicine.
Nuclear Medicine provides new and effective ways of detecting wide array of diseases. The accurate diagnosis of nuclear medicine gives mankind a greater possibility of successful treatment and recovery from severe and acute ailments. If all medical institutions will adopt the nuclear treatment, there will be less people who will suffer from health problems because of late detection of various diseases.
References
Chang, Raymond. “Nuclear Reactions.”Chemistry 10th Edition. Mc-Graw Hill Companies Inc.2010. 1011-13
Rondain, Jose Eduardo S. M.D. Current Status of the Nuclear Medicine in the Philippines Craig
Fraudenrich, Ph.D. “Introduction to How Nuclear Medicine Works .” How Nuclear Medicine Works
Fraudenrich, Ph.D. “Treatment in Nuclear Medicine.” How Nuclear Medicine Works
“Nuclear Medicine - Diagnostic Procedures.” Nuclear Medicine Patient Issues.
What is Nuclear Medicine
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