Nuclear Medicine
SPECIALTY
Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine Centre utilises radioactive pharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat various medical conditions such as cancer and bone diseases.
Nuclear Medicine Centre in Penang, Malaysia
Nuclear medicine is a specialised medical specialty that uses small amounts of radioactive materials to create detailed images of how the body’s organs and tissues work through scans such as PET/CT or bone scans. These advanced imaging techniques help doctors detect conditions that may not be visible with conventional radiology methods like X-rays, CT scan or MRI.
At Island Hospital, our Nuclear Medicine Centre offers advanced diagnostic and therapeutic imaging services to help detect diseases early, when they are most treatable. Using cutting-edge imaging systems and radiopharmaceutical tracers, our experienced nuclear medicine physicians carefully assess organ function, identify abnormalities, and monitor your treatment progress with accuracy and care.
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Conditions Treated with Nuclear Medicine cine Centre in Penang, Malaysia
Nuclear medicine helps doctors detect and monitor various medical conditions through PET/CT scans. It is commonly used for conditions including:
Cancer
PET/CT scans are commonly used in cancer care to determine the stage and severity of the disease, plan radiation therapy such as high-dose stereotactic treatments, and evaluate how well a treatment is working. They can also detect if cancer has returned, locate where it started, and tell the difference between benign and malignant tumors. In some cases, PET/CT scans guide biopsies by identifying areas with the highest activity.
Neurological Disorders
PET/CT scans help diagnose and monitor brain conditions such as dementia, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. They provide valuable information on brain function and help doctors track how the condition responds to treatment.
Infections
PET/CT scans can identify infections or inflammation that are difficult to detect through other imaging methods. They are especially useful in finding the source of unexplained fevers or persistent infections.
**This list is not exhaustive and it’s important to note that the decision to have a PET/CT scan will depend on your individual medical history and condition, and should be made in consultation with our doctors.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services Offered at Island Hospital
Our Nuclear Medicine Centre provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic imaging and targeted therapeutic procedures to support accurate diagnosis, effective treatment planning, and ongoing patient monitoring.
PET/CT (FDG) Scan
PET/CT is a medical test that combines two types of imaging to provide a more complete view of what is happening inside the body. This allows doctors to better understand certain medical conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, or brain disorders, which may be difficult to detect with other tests.
The test is particularly helpful because it can detect these conditions earlier, pinpoint their exact location in the body, and monitor how well treatments are working. For these reasons, PET/CT is an essential tool for diagnosing and managing a variety of medical conditions.
Radioiodine and Radionuclide Therapy
These treatments use safe, controlled doses of radioactive materials to target and treat specific diseases from within the body. Radioiodine Therapy is often used to treat hyperthyroidism and certain thyroid cancers by gently eliminating overactive or cancerous thyroid cells while preserving healthy tissue.
Radionuclide Therapy delivers focused radiation directly to cancer cells or bone metastases, helping to relieve pain and slow the spread of disease. Both are effective, minimally invasive treatments that offer precise, targeted care with fewer side effects than traditional therapies.
Advanced Medical Imaging with the Siemens Biograph mCT PET/CT Scanner
The Siemens Biograph mCT PET/CT Scanner offers a multitude of benefits to both patients and healthcare providers. By combining the power of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) technologies, this device provides highly detailed, three-dimensional images that allow for improved accuracy in diagnosing medical conditions.
Some of these benefits include:
- Improved accuracy: The combination of PET and CT technologies provides highly detailed, three-dimensional images that allow for improved accuracy in diagnosing medical conditions.
- Faster results: The advanced technology enables faster scan times, providing quicker results and reducing the amount of time patients need to spend undergoing scans.
- Increased comfort: The scanner’s design is focused on patient comfort, with features such as a larger gantry opening and a comfortable patient bed, making the experience more pleasant for patients.
- Safe: Less exposure to radiation, yet with more accurate results, thus reducing the need for repeated scans.
- Better treatment decisions: The detailed information provided by the Scanner allows healthcare providers to make more informed treatment decisions, helping to improve patient outcomes.
- Greater versatility: It can be used for a wide range of applications, including cancer detection and staging, cardiac imaging, and neurological imaging.
These benefits demonstrate why the Siemens Biograph mCT PET/CT Scanner is a highly valued tool in the medical imaging industry.
Make An Inquiry if you have any more questions.
Nuclear Medicine FAQs
Nuclear medicine uses small and safe amounts of radioactive materials to create images that show how your organs and tissues are functioning. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, it gives doctors insight into your physiological activity, helping detect health issues earlier.
Nuclear medicine is used to diagnose and monitor conditions such as cancer, heart disease, bone disorders, neurological diseases, and infections. It also provides targeted therapies like radioiodine and radionuclide treatments for certain cancers.
Yes, PET/CT scans use a small, safe amount of radioactive material, but the exposure is carefully controlled and generally lower than the potential benefit of early and accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will explain the safety measures used during the scan.
Nuclear medicine therapies are often used alongside surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy rather than replacing them. They provide a targeted approach to treat specific conditions, help relieve symptoms, and slow disease progression.
Nuclear medicine therapies are most effective for early-stage cancers when detected promptly, but they can also help manage advanced cancers, such as targeting bone metastases or treating thyroid cancer. Your doctor will recommend the best approach based on your specific condition.
The cost of a PET/CT scan in Penang varies depending on the hospital and the specific package chosen. Generally, prices range from RM 2,400 to RM 4,168 depending on the scanned area.
