Nuclear medicine is a special type of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive substances (called tracers) to see how organs and tissues are functioning in your body. These tracers can be injected into your body or taken by mouth, depending on the procedure.
At Sunway Medical Centre Penang, we offer the following nuclear medicine services:
PET-CT Scan
PET-CT is a powerful imaging technique that combines two types of scans: a CT scan (which shows detailed images of your body) and a PET scan (which shows how your cells are working).
Using a radioactive substance called FDG (Fluorodeoxyglucose), a PET-CT scan helps doctors:
- See where abnormal activity is happening in your body (from the PET scan).
- Identify the exact location of this activity (from the CT scan).
This combination provides more accurate information, especially when looking at tumors or other conditions affecting your organs.
Radionuclide Therapy
This treatment uses radioactive substances to target and treat specific areas in your body. The substance is delivered directly to the area needing treatment, such as a tumor, with minimal effect on the surrounding healthy tissue.
Radioactive Iodine for Hyperthyroidism (Thyrotoxicosis)
For patients with an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), we use a treatment called radioactive iodine (I-131). This iodine is absorbed by the thyroid gland, where it emits radiation that helps destroy the overactive thyroid cells. This targeted treatment is effective in controlling the condition.
Key Benefits of Nuclear Medicine:
Non-invasive: Most procedures are painless and do not require surgery.
Precise Diagnosis: Provides detailed images and functional information to help doctors make accurate diagnoses.
Targeted Treatments: Delivers treatment directly to affected areas, minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
