Answer to Question #2768 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Nuclear Medicine Patient Issues — Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

What impact has nuclear medicine had on society?

Nuclear medicine is that medical specialty that uses radioactive drugs (radiopharmaceuticals) to diagnose and treat disease. At present, about 14 million diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures are performed on American babies, children, adults, and senior citizens each year to assess a huge variety of abnormalities, such as coronary artery disease, renal abnormalities, liver disease, infections, stress fractures, blood clots in the lungs, thyroid disease, cancer, etc. These diagnostic procedures aid in identifying problems so that physicians can recommend the best treatments. About 70,000 therapy procedures are also performed to cure hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer, treat bone metastases in cancer patients, induce remissions in non-Hodgkins lymphoma cases, and treat malignant effusions, certain types of arthritis, and some unusual blood malignancies. In addition, research is ongoing to develop radiolabeled antibodies that are more targeted to treat a variety of cancers without giving undue radiation to uninvolved tissues. In summary, nuclear medicine contributes to the high level of medical care we enjoy in this nation.

Carol S. Marcus, PhD, MD
President, American College of Nuclear Physicians-California Chapter

Editor's Note: Additional information about nuclear medicine can be found at the Society of Nuclear Medicine's "About Nuclear Medicine."

Answer posted on 29 July 2003. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.