Radionuclide diagnostics

Radionuclide diagnostics

One of the most actual objectives of modern oncology is an early detection of neoplastic process, because in this case specialists have some time to render a special medical care, and the patients have a chance to recover.

Application of methods of radionuclide diagnostics is based on the usage of radioactive indicators for the detection of     neoplasm.

Principle of radionuclide diagnostics

Radionuclide diagnostics is based on introduction of radiopharmaceutical agents to a patient’s organism. Registration of their activity together with the application of a special equipment gives an opportunity of a quality and quantitive evaluation of functional activity of the investigated organ. It should be noted that    short-lived radionuclides are being introduced into the organism, which have a minimal radiation impact.

Application of radionuclide diagnostics in the practice of an oncologist helps to carry out a wide spectrum of diagnostic researches, — from the research of cell metabolism to the evaluation of function of organ or system of organs.

In oncology, this type of diagnostics is applied to the study of the activity of neoplastic process, which helps to determine its           prevalence and evaluate the effectiveness of rendered medical care, and also to identify backsets.

Advantages of radionuclide diagnostics

Application of radionuclide diagnostics in oncology has a number of undeniable advantages:

• maximal noninvasiveness,
• high informative value of the received data,
• good reproducibility,
• absence of undesirable allergic reactions,
• uniqueness of the received information,
• universality,
• maximum result at minimum irradiation

Radionuclide diagnostics in Belarus

Radionuclide diagnostics in Belarus is represented by a wide spectrum of examinations of different organs and tissues.

1. Body Ga-67 citrate scintigraphy is applied to detect either primary lesion or metastatic lesion of lymphatic system of organism.
2. Single-photon emission computed tomography of regions of interest is applied to specify forms, localization, tumor dimension after planar examinations.
3. Single-photon emission computed tomography of regions of interest, together with X-ray computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is a special technology, which helps to detect the presence or absence of abnormal region at exact alignment of functional and anatomical images, which increases reliability of the received data.
4. Single-photon emission computed tomography of brain is a diagnostic research, which is carried out to diagnose brain tumors and to assess its blood flow.
5. Perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography of myocard is an investigation, which is carried out to detect ischemic areas of myocard.
6. Single-photon emission computed tomography of regions of interest, together with X-ray computed tomography of breast is carried out to detect a «signal» lymphatic node at the development of breast cancer and to determine the surgical tactics and its investigation during the operation.
7. Single-photon emission computed tomography of regions of interest, together with X-ray computed tomography of breast and affected lymph nodes at breast cancer is used to detect primary neoplasms and all metastases in lymph nodes, which helps to determine the tactics of treatment and to detect the stage of the disease.
8. Bone scintigraphy is a radionuclide examination, which is carried out to detect primary and secondary diseases of bone tissue.
9. Scintigraphy of thyroid is a research, which is carried out to detect anatomical and topographic characteristics of thyroid, and also to determine «hot», «warm» and «cold» areas in thyroid tissue.
10. Dynamic nefroscintigraphy is a radionuclide investigation, which helps to determine functional condition of kidneys.
11. Dynamic scintigraphy of hepatobiliary system is used for evaluation of functional condition of liver and bile passages.
12. Perfused lung scintigraphy is a diagnostic test, which is carried out to detect disorders of pulmonary blood flow at different pathology conditions (thromboembolism of pulmonary artery).

Approximate cost of services

• Single-photon emission computed tomography with X-ray computed tomography of facial bones without a contrast enhancement with Тс99м- pertechnetate – 100 USD.
• Single-photon emission computed tomography with X-ray computed tomography of neck without a contrast enhancement with Ga67- citrates – 160 USD.
• Single-photon emission computed tomography with X-ray computed tomography of thoracic cavity without a contrast enhancement with Ga67-citrates — 160 USD.
• Single-photon emission computed tomography with X-ray computed tomography of abdominal cavity without a contrast enhancement with Ga67-citrates – 160 USD.
• Scintigraphy of liver – 114 USD.
• Scintigraphy of skeleton (profile scanning) with Тс99м- pertechnetate – 180 USD.
• Scintigraphy of thyroid – 66 USD.
• Scintigraphy of the body with Ga-67 citrate – 186 USD.
• Scintigraphy of SPEKT myocard (Rest-regime) – 252 USD.
• Scintigraphy of hepatobiliary system – 114 USD.
• Dynamic scintigraphy of kidneys (on emissive tomographic scanners) – 168 USD.
• Single-photon emission computed tomography with X-ray computed tomography of small pelvis without a contrast enhancement with Ga67- citrates – 160 USD.
• Single-photon emission computed tomography with X-ray computed tomography of region of spine without a contrast enhancement with Тс99м- pertechnetate – 100 USD.
• Single-photon emission computed tomography with X-ray computed tomography of bones and joints without a contrast enhancement with Тс99м- pertechnetate – 100 USD.
• Comparison of investigations of single-photon emission computed tomography with X-ray computed tomography in dynamics – 50 USD.

Why Belarus?

The leading medical oncological center of Belarus offers services of radionuclide diagnostics on a high professional level. The center is equipped with modern devices, which correspond to the world standards and due to which it is possible to do the whole spectrum of diagnostic services.