Evde Hizmet Hızlı Randevu
Sani Konukoğlu
INTERNATIONAL PATIENT

NUCLEAR MEDICINE

Nuclear Medicine is defined as the science of imaging and therapeutics at the molecular level, using what we call radiopharmaceuticals. Thanks to the applications carried out in the Nuclear Medicine Department, advanced diagnosis and treatment of diseases is possible.

Quick Appointment View Physicians

CURRENT APPLICATIONS IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING

How is Molecular Imaging Performed?

Nuclear Medicine is defined as the science of imaging and therapeutics at the molecular level, using what we call radiopharmaceuticals. Thanks to the applications carried out in the Nuclear Medicine Department, advanced diagnosis and treatment of diseases is possible. It works multidisciplinary with other departments in all diseases from heart diseases, kidney diseases, orthopedic problems to thyroid cancers.

PET CT

PET/CT is based on combining PET, which produces images of cell metabolism, and CT, which provides anatomical details, in the same device. Both the metabolic function of the cells and the anatomy can be comprehensively visualized by a single device in a single session. Thus, physicians can obtain detailed and precise information about the patient's anatomical and metabolic status with three-dimensional images. PET/CT enables rapid and accurate diagnosis of especially cancer and heart diseases.

Pain and Cancer Treatment with Smart Molecules

Small molecules designed to recognize and find cancer cells after they enter the body are called "smart molecules". Smart molecules are used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

When it is given to the patient through the vein, it finds the cancer cells in the bloodstream, adheres to them, enters the cancerous cell, and destroys them by irradiation.

These molecules, PSMA and DOTATE, EDTMP are marked with a radioactive substance called 'Lu-177' in our own laboratory and made ready for use in the treatment we can define as smart bullet, smart atom.

Our Lu-177-linked PSMA smart molecule (Lu-177 PSMA) is safely used in prostate cancers that cannot be stopped despite drug and radiation therapy.

Lu-177 DOTATE is used in Neuroendocrine tumors.

Lu-177 EDTMP is used in the treatment of cancer-related bone pain by combining painkillers, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and other methods. It is used safely in all cancers, especially breast, prostate and lung cancers that spread to the bone and cause pain.

Lu-177 PSMA, Lu-177 DOTATE, Lu-177 EDTMP treatments are performed in special rooms with radiation protection in our treatment unit in the Nuclear Medicine Department. This treatment is given under the supervision of a physician for 2-4 hours, if necessary for 1 night, intravenously with slow serum.

During the application of these treatments, side effects that impair the quality of life are not observed. It is easier to tolerate than other treatments. Treatment is applied for 4-6 cycles with an interval of 6-8 weeks.

Other Treatments Applied in Our Nuclear Medicine Clinic

“Iodine I-131” for the treatment of thyroid cancers.
Palliative pain management in patients with bone metastases.
Radionuclide synovectomy for intra-articular fluid accumulation and pain.
“Iodine-131” for the treatment of hyperthyroidism (toxic goiter).
Radioembolization with “Y-90” microspheres in primary or metastatic liver tumors.
Sentinel lymph node removal with intraoperative gamma probe in diseases such as breast, malignant melanoma, parathyroid adenoma.
Gamma Probe Applications

Gamma probe is a pen-shaped probe that can detect applied substances and is a medical device used in sentinel lymph node (SNL) sampling during surgery.

The first lymph node to which many tumors, especially breast cancer and malignant melanoma can go, is removed with the help of this device.

Before the operation, on the morning of the operation or the day before, the SLN is found with special methods, the lymph node is marked, and the patient is directed to surgery by the Nuclear Medicine physician in our clinic.

During surgery, the previously marked sentinel lymph node (SLN) is removed by the surgeon with the help of Gama Probe, and the material is sent to pathology for frozen processing.

If cancer cells are detected as a result of pathology, that area is completely cleaned. If cancer cells are not detected, unnecessary procedures are not performed on that area. Thus, the operation time is shortened and postoperative complications are reduced.

Phone: 0342 211 50 00

:

Physicians in the Department

Lecturer Dr. Şinasi ÖZKILIÇ
NUCLEAR MEDICINE