radiolääkeaineita

Radiolääkeaineita, also known as radiopharmaceuticals, are pharmaceuticals that contain a radioactive isotope. These substances are used in nuclear medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The radioactive isotope is typically attached to a biologically active molecule, such as a sugar, amino acid, or fatty acid, which targets specific organs or tissues in the body.

In diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals, the radioactive isotope emits gamma rays that can be detected by specialized cameras or scanners. This allows healthcare professionals to visualize the distribution of the radiopharmaceutical in the body, providing valuable information about organ function and disease processes. Examples of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals include technetium-99m sestamibi for myocardial perfusion imaging and iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) for neuroendocrine tumor imaging.

Therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, on the other hand, deliver a targeted dose of radiation to specific tissues or tumors. The radioactive isotope emits alpha particles or beta particles, which can damage and destroy cancer cells. Examples of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals include iodine-131 tositumomab for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and lutetium-177 dotatate for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors.

The use of radiolääkeaineita requires careful consideration of radiation safety and the potential side effects associated with the radioactive isotope. Healthcare professionals must follow strict guidelines and protocols to ensure the safe and effective use of these substances in clinical practice.