The Role of a Nuclear Medicine Specialist and the Conditions He Can Handle

Doctors who specialize in nuclear medicine are still foreign to the ears. In fact, the role of this specialist is very large to facilitate the process of diagnosing various diseases. That way, the treatment steps for patients can be faster and more precise.

Nuclear medicine specialist is a doctor who has the expertise to examine, diagnose, and treat diseases that are generally tumors or cancer by utilizing radioactive compounds.

The Role of a Nuclear Medicine Specialist and the Conditions He Can Handle

Examination with the help of radioactive compounds allows doctors to assess the function and shape of body organs more clearly, so that diseases can be diagnosed more quickly. This examination is also used to monitor disease progression and evaluate the success of therapy.

Meanwhile, radioactive treatment aims to destroy the tissue or part of the organ that is affected. This therapy is more often given by injection into a vein or in the form of pills that the patient will swallow.

The Role of the Nuclear Medicine Specialist

Nuclear medicine specialists have several roles that include administering radioactive drugs and scanning patients' bodies to diagnose disease or monitor treatment.

The scan in question can be a PET scan (positron emission tomography) or a SPECT scan (single photon emission tomography). These two scans can be performed by nuclear specialists in various parts of the body, including:

  • Tumor scan
  • Breast scan
  • Brain scan
  • Thyroid and parathyroid scan
  • Stomach and bowel scan
  • Kidney scan
  • Bone scan
  • Heart scan
  • Blood scan

Conditions Treated by Nuclear Medicine Specialists

An examination by a nuclear medicine specialist is carried out if the doctor requires a deeper examination to determine the patient's illness. There are various diseases that can be detected through examination with the help of radioactive compounds, namely:

1. Heart disease

Heart disease is a variety of conditions that interfere with heart function. These disorders are of various types, such as disorders of blood vessels, heart muscle, or heart valves.

2. Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a brain disease that causes a person to not have the ability to control movement and balance his body.

3. Thyroid disease

Thyroid disease is a condition when a person's thyroid gland does not produce a normal amount of thyroid hormone, either too much (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism).

4. Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disease that causes memory loss and thinking ability. In fact, in severe cases, Alzheimer's disease can make it difficult for sufferers to carry out daily activities

5. Tumor

A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells in a part of the body. Although generally benign and not life-threatening, tumors can interfere with the body's tissues, organs, and glands and need to be treated.

6. Cancer

Cancer is an abnormal growth of tissue that can spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system. Cancer is also a tumor, but it is a type of malignant tumor because it can cause death.

Later on, the results of the examination carried out by nuclear medicine specialists can be used to determine the diagnosis and type of treatment that is appropriate and in accordance with the patient's condition.

Treatment with radioactive compounds carried out by nuclear medicine specialists tends to cause tumors and cancer. In treating patients, this specialist will also collaborate with other specialists, such as internal medicine specialists or pediatricians.

That's the role of a nuclear medicine specialist and the conditions he can treat. However, keep in mind that not all medical conditions require radioactive testing or treatment.

If you experience health complaints, you should consult a doctor first. That way, the doctor can determine whether you need examination and treatment with radioactive compounds or not. If so, the doctor will refer you to a nuclear medicine specialist.

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