Overview
The Nuclear Medicine Department at Sree Mookambika Cancer Centre provides advanced diagnostic imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy for the detection and treatment of various cancers and other diseases. The centre is proud to be one of the first in South Tamil Nadu to offer comprehensive nuclear medicine services including both advanced imaging and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures. Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of safe radioactive tracers to evaluate organ function and detect disease at a molecular level, often before structural changes appear on conventional imaging. Radionuclide scans are performed using a gamma camera, which detects radiation emitted from the tracer and produces detailed functional images of organs. In addition, advanced imaging technologies such as PET-CT scans combine functional and anatomical imaging to provide precise information for diagnosis, treatment planning, and assessment of response to therapy.
Dr V M Pradeep
MD ( Nuclear Medicine)
Nuclear Medicine
The Nuclear Medicine Department at Sree Mookambika Cancer Centre is one of the first centres in South Tamil Nadu to provide comprehensive nuclear medicine services including advanced diagnostic imaging and targeted radionuclide therapies for cancer and other diseases.
Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of safe radioactive tracers to evaluate the functional and molecular activity of organs, enabling early detection of disease and precise treatment planning. Unlike conventional imaging, nuclear medicine detects disease at a cellular and metabolic level, allowing clinicians to diagnose conditions earlier and monitor response to therapy more accurately.
The department is equipped with a Siemens PET-CT scanner and a Dual-Head SPECT gamma camera, enabling state-of-the-art functional imaging. Radionuclide scans using the gamma camera provide detailed evaluation of organ function, while advanced imaging techniques such as PET-CT and SPECT allow accurate cancer diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of treatment response.
Both FDG PET-CT and Gallium-68 PET scans are routinely performed, in addition to conventional nuclear medicine studies including thyroid, cardiac, renal, and skeletal imaging such as bone scans.
The department also offers therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures, where radioactive substances are used to selectively destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Dedicated in-patient treatment facilities are available for high-dose Radioiodine (I-131) therapy for thyroid cancer.
In addition, Lutetium-177 targeted radionuclide therapy using DOTA and PSMA ligands is routinely performed for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and advanced prostate cancer, providing highly specialized precision oncology treatment within the region.
Diagnostic Nuclear Imaging
The department provides advanced nuclear imaging techniques for accurate diagnosis and staging of various cancers and other diseases.
Nuclear Scans (Gamma Camera Imaging)
Radionuclide scans are performed using a gamma camera, which detects radiation emitted from administered tracers to produce detailed images of organ function and disease processes. These scans help identify abnormalities at an early stage and guide appropriate treatment planning.
SPECT Scan
Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) provides three-dimensional imaging of organs and tissues, offering improved diagnostic accuracy for evaluating various conditions including cancer and organ dysfunction.
Common nuclear scans performed include:
• Bone Scan – detection of bone metastasis, bone infections, and other bone disorders
• DMSA Renal Scan – evaluation of kidney structure, cortical function, and renal scarring
• DTPA Renal Scan – assessment of kidney function, drainage, and urinary obstruction
• Thyroid Scan – evaluation of thyroid nodules and thyroid function
• Whole Body Iodine Scan – follow-up and evaluation of thyroid cancer
• MIBG Scan – detection of neuroendocrine tumors such as neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma
• Parathyroid Scan – localization of parathyroid adenomas
• Hepatobiliary (HIDA) Scan – evaluation of liver and gallbladder function
• Gastric Emptying Study – assessment of gastric motility disorders
• Lung Perfusion Scan – evaluation of pulmonary blood flow and lung function
• Cardiac Perfusion Scan (Myocardial Perfusion Imaging) – assessment of blood
PET-CT Imaging
Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography (PET-CT) combines functional imaging from PET with anatomical imaging from CT to provide highly precise information about the location and extent of disease.
PET-CT imaging services include:
• Whole Body PET-CT Scan for cancer detection, staging, and treatment monitoring
• Ga-68 PSMA Scan for Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen imaging in prostate cancer
• Ga-68 DOTA-NOC Scan for imaging of neuroendocrine tumors
These advanced imaging techniques play a crucial role in early diagnosis, accurate staging, treatment planning, and monitoring response to therapy.
Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine
The department also offers specialized radionuclide therapies that deliver targeted radiation to cancer cells while minimizing exposure to surrounding normal tissues.
Available therapies include:
• Lutetium-177 PSMA Therapy for advanced prostate cancer
• Lutetium-177 DOTA-TATE Therapy for neuroendocrine tumors
• Samarium-153 EDTMP Therapy for painful bone metastases
• Radioactive Iodine (I-131) Therapy for thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism
• Iodine-131 MIBG Therapy for high-risk neuroblastoma
These therapies represent a highly specialized form of cancer treatment where radioactive molecules selectively target tumor cells, improving treatment effectiveness and patient outcomes.
