Other terms
- Randomization
- Rash
- Real-World Data
- RECIST
- Recruitment Plan
- Renal Failure
- Retention Plan
- Retina
- Retinal disease/ Retinopathy
- Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO)
- Retinoids
- Lupus
Radiopharmaceuticals
What are Radiopharmaceuticals? Radiopharmaceuticals are specialized drugs containing trace amounts of radioactive material, or radionuclides. These pharmaceuticals serve various purposes in medical procedures, such as visualizing internal structures and functions, diagnosing and staging diseases, and monitoring treatment progress. Additionally, they are employed in therapeutic applications, like cancer treatment. Radiopharmaceuticals are typically administered through injection, but can also be ingested or inhaled.
Types of Radiopharmaceuticals
There are several different types of radiopharmaceuticals, each with its own unique properties and uses. Some of the most common types include:
- Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) is the most commonly used radiopharmaceutical in medical imaging. It is used in procedures such as bone scans, myocardial perfusion imaging, and sentinel node identification.
- Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is utilized in positron emission tomography (PET) scans to visualize metabolic activity in the body and is commonly used in cancer diagnosis and staging.
- Iodine-131 (I-131) is used to treat thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism.
- Gallium-67 (Ga-67) is used to detect and monitor infections and inflammatory conditions in the body.
Source: About Radiopharmaceutical Therapies – SNMMI. (n.d.). http://www.snmmi.org/Patients/About/content.aspx?ItemNumber=14792&navItemNumber=14793
