Challenges associated with radionuclide therapy and need for interdepartmental collaboration

Abstract

Diagnostic procedures and radionuclide therapy are the main clinical functions of Nuclear Medicine Physicians. As an imaging physician, like a diagnostic radiologist, the nuclear medicine specialist deals with various diagnostic procedures including radionuclide imaging, bone mineral densitometry, radionuclide uptake studies, blood volume measurement, and breath tests. As a treating physician, s/he deals with various therapeutic procedures for patients referred by Endocrinologists, Oncologists, Hematologists, Hepatologists, Urologists, Rheumatologists, and Surgeons, among others.