How does nuclear medicine contribute to cancer treatment?

Nuclear medicine uses radioactive substances to diagnose and treat cancer.

Nuclear medicine is a branch of medicine that uses small amounts of radioactive substances to diagnose and treat diseases, including cancer. In cancer treatment, nuclear medicine is used to deliver radiation directly to cancer cells, while minimizing damage to healthy cells. This is known as targeted radiation therapy.

One example of targeted radiation therapy is the use of radioactive iodine to treat thyroid cancer. The patient swallows a capsule containing radioactive iodine, which is absorbed by the thyroid gland. The radiation then destroys the cancerous thyroid cells, while leaving the surrounding healthy tissue unharmed.

Another example of targeted radiation therapy is the use of radiopharmaceuticals to treat prostate cancer. Radiopharmaceuticals are drugs that contain radioactive isotopes, which are injected into the patient's bloodstream. The radiopharmaceuticals then bind to prostate cancer cells, delivering radiation directly to the cancer cells.

In addition to targeted radiation therapy, nuclear medicine is also used to monitor the effectiveness of cancer treatment. For example, positron emission tomography (PET) scans use radioactive tracers to detect changes in the body's metabolism, which can indicate whether cancer cells are responding to treatment.

Overall, nuclear medicine plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, offering targeted therapies that can improve outcomes for patients.