By producing 70 radiopharmaceuticals and meeting the needs of more than 6,500 nuclear medicine centres, Iran has registered its name as one of the world’s top three countries in the industry.
One of the most difficult stages in the fight against cancer is its early detection. In the early stages of tumorigenesis, tissue appears to be completely normal and major changes occur at levels of cell metabolism that are not detected by traditional diagnostic methods such as ultrasound and x-rays, which only examine the shape and size of the tissue.
In this regard, nuclear imaging technologies, including nuclear medicine, play a leading role, so very small amounts of radioactive material (radioisotopes) are injected into the body.
This material allows imaging devices to monitor cell activity with great accuracy. This feature allows for early detection of tumors, even in very early stages, and much faster than methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT scans.
Nuclear technology is not limited to diagnosis, but rather provides innovative solutions for treatment. Traditional radiation therapy, which provides radiation from the outside of a tumor, is a well-known method, but is often associated with damage to the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor.
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