Abstract
Nuclear medicine supplies information about organs, anatomic structures and inflammatory and/or neoplastic disease on the basis of the biodistribution, uptake and metabolism of radiopharmaceuticals: Basic research in oncology has defined two important lines of application: firstly, detection of the presence of malignant disease at an early stage, and secondly, definition of the neoplastic process in terms of biological characteristics, proliferation, aggressiveness, differentiation and receptor status. Other important applications are assessment of disease extent, monitoring of treatment, and assessment of the side effects of chemiotherapy. In this article we summarize the clinical role of nuclear medicine in oncology. We stress the use of the so-called neoplastic indicators, substances that are able to reach neoplatic masses, such as gallium, thallium and cationic lipophilic complexes radiolabeled with technetium. Monoclonal antibodies as well as somatostatin analogs have great potential in this context.
| Translated title of the contribution | Nuclear medicine in oncology |
|---|---|
| Original language | Italian |
| Pages (from-to) | 44-57 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Ospedale Maggiore |
| Volume | 93 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1999 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)