radiopharmaceutical

Radiopharmaceuticals are unique medicinal formulations containing radioisotopes which are used in major clinical areas to diagnose certain medical problems or treat certain diseases. They may be given to the patient in several different ways. For example, they may be given by mouth, given by injection, or placed into the eye or into the bladder. Basically, these radiopharmaceuticals are used in the diagnosis of Abscess and infection, biliary tract blockage, blood volume studies, blood vessel diseases, bone diseases, bone marrow diseases, brains diseases and tumors, kidney diseases, cancer, lung diseases, among others. Since Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive agents, the radiation your body receives from them is very low and is considered safe when small amounts are used. However, when larger amounts of these agents are given to treat disease, there may be different effects on the body. It is worth noting that when radiopharmaceuticals are used to help diagnose medical problems, they pass through, or are taken up by, an organ of the body. Then the radioactivity is detected, and pictures are produced, by special imaging equipment. These pictures allow the nuclear medicine doctor to study how the organ is working and to detect cancer or tumors that may be present in the organ. Bear in mind that radiopharmaceuticals are to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor with specialized training in nuclear medicine.