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Nuclear Medicine: Advancing Diagnosis and Treatment Through Radioactive Technology
Nuclear medicine is a specialized branch of medical science that utilizes small amounts of radioactive materials, known as radiopharmaceuticals, to diagnose and treat various diseases. Unlike conventional imaging techniques that focus on anatomy, nuclear medicine provides unique insights into the function of organs and tissues at the molecular and cellular level. This ability to visualize physiological processes has revolutionized disease detection, monitoring, and therapy.
At the core of nuclear medicine are radiopharmaceuticals, which are compounds labeled with radioactive isotopes. These compounds are designed to target specific organs, tissues, or cellular receptors. Once administered—typically through injection, ingestion, or inhalation—they emit gamma rays or positrons, which are detected by specialized imaging devices such as gamma cameras, PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scanners, or SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) scanners. This allows physicians to obtain detailed images of how organs function in real time.