Diagnostic nuclear medicine, also known as molecular imaging, is a form of medical imaging that uses tiny amounts of radioactive chemicals called radiotracers.
These are generally injected into the bloodstream, allowing our team of experts to look at where the radiotracers localise in your body, providing information about the function of different cells, tissues and organs. The results of these scans enable doctors to provide an accurate diagnosis of a variety of conditions including cancer. Peter Mac has two state-of-the-art SPECT/CT cameras with quantitative capability.
At Peter Mac, this kind of imaging is separated into two categories – nuclear medicine and positron emission tomography (PET). Both types are usually used in conjunction with a computed tomography (CT) scan to help localise the site of radiotracer accumulation, helping doctors select and plan the best treatment for you. The nuclear medicine department also specialises in radionuclide therapy to treat a variety of cancers.
Types of nuclear medicine tests
The most commonly performed tests at Peter Mac are listed below.
| Name of test | Radioactive tracer | Purpose of test |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac gated blood pool scan | Tc-99m labelled red blood cells | Monitor heart function in patients having chemotherapy |
| Sentinel node scintigraphy | Tc-99m antimony colloid | Identify the pathway of lymphatic spread, most commonly performed in breast cancer and melanoma |
| Bone scan | Tc-99m MDP | Imaging of bone metabolism; enables identification of spread of tumour to bone |
| MIBI scan | Tc-99m sestamibi | Most commonly used for imaging multiple myeloma; also used to locate parathyroid adenomas |
| Thyroid scan | Iodine-123, Tc-99m pertechnetate | Imaging for thyroid cancer and thyroid function |
| Renal scan | Tc-99m MAG3 or DTPA, Cr-51 EDTA | Measurement and imaging of kidney function |
| Lung scan | Tc-99m Technegas/MAA | Used to detect clots in the lung (pulmonary emboli) and to measure lung function |
Additional Information on nuclear medicine test Types
Below are additional Patient Information documents in PDF formats by test type:
Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) & Neuroendocrine Tumours (File Size 142 KB)
Radioactive Iodine & Thyroid Cancer (File Size 102 KB)
Preparing for your scan
When booking a scan, a technologist will provide you with any relevant preparation instructions. It is important to let the technologist know if you have any other procedures booked as this may alter your booking time and pre-scan preparation.
On the day
Where to go
Cancer Imaging
Level 5, reception 5C Imaging via the main lifts.
The front enquiry desk will be happy to direct you.
Scanning
Following administration of the radiotracers, scanning will take place. The duration for a scan will vary in length depending on the clinical question being addressed. Scanning time can take be between 15 and 90 minutes.
Sometimes imaging will be performed immediately after the radiotracer is administered to look at the rapid passage of the tracer through the body. In other cases, the tracer accumulates very slowly in tissues, in which case you may be able to leave Peter Mac for several hours, or several days in some cases, and return later for scanning.
Impacts of scans and radiation
Millions of scans are performed around the world each year with very low risk to the patient. All nuclear medicine scans involve administering radioactive compounds, but the radiation dose you receive is quite low, with most being about the same as the amount of radiation you receive from the environment over the course of a year.
Referral information
For patients
Your general practitioner or specialist will organise relevant referrals for nuclear medicine.
For medical professionals
For more information see referrals.
Location
Cancer Imaging
Level 5, reception 5C Imaging
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
305 Grattan Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact
Cancer Imaging
Phone: (03) 8559 5510
Fax: (03) 8559 5519
