The Science That Glows: A Look Into Nuclear Medicine
- Sanjana Musafir
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
What is Nuclear Medicine?
The textbook definition of nuclear medicine is: "The branch of medicine that deals with the use of radioactive substances in research, diagnosis, and treatment." Nuclear medicine is a specialized field of radiology in which small amounts of radioactive material are used to diagnose and treat many different kinds of diseases. When you are given this type of exam, you take a small amount of radioactive material. The material then moves to the organs, where it is watched to see where it gives off energy as gamma rays. A camera detects the rays and creates images of the organs and tissues. From there, radiologists can detect how organs and tissues are functioning.
History and Background of Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine's history dates all the way back to 1896 with Henri Becquerel's discovery of natural radioactivity. This discovery didn't directly link to medicine, but it opened the doors for discoveries in the field. Just two short years later, in 1898, Marie Curie discovered radium and polonium, which helped establish the fundamental principles of radioactivity.
The 1900s were the golden years of nuclear medicine advances, beginning with George de Hevesy's first use of radionuclides in medicine. This research took place in 1913, when he used lead-212 to study the absorption and translocation of lead in plants. Then, in the 1930s, Ernest O. Lawrence invented the cyclotron, which was able to produce artificial radionuclides. This created isotopes that would have been very difficult, or even impossible, to obtain otherwise.
Although you might not expect it, World War II played a crucial role in advancements in nuclear medicine. The production of weapons, specifically the Manhattan Project, contributed to scientists' enhanced understanding of nuclear reactions.
A few more notable innovations in nuclear medicine include:
1950s: First diagnostic scans using radionuclides
1957: Hal Anger invented a gamma camera that had more precise imaging
1960s: Technetium-99m was introduced to nuclear medicine, which helped target many different organs
1970s and 80s: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scans were introduced
1990s-2000s: Targeted therapies of nuclear medicine began to advance and allow for more precise targeting of cancer cells
Impact On Humans
Nuclear medicine can show how organs and tissues are working, and whether or not you may have various medical issues. It can also be used for treatment, where it targets organs and tissues that aren't functioning correctly, and stops their cell growth. Radiation from these scans can increase your risk of developing cancer later on. Treatments involving nuclear medicine can often lead to hair loss and reddened skin. You can give off radiation after treatment, so you may have to avoid others to protect them.
How Can We Help?
We can help nuclear medicine by researching radionuclide production and developing more advanced imaging and therapeutic technologies. Funding research for nuclear medicine can help us detect cancer and other diseases quickly, which in turn would help us treat them faster and more efficiently.
Q & A
Q: Will I be radioactive after a nuclear medicine scan?
A: Yes, you will be radioactive after your scan, but since the dosage is so small, you won't be radioactive for more than a day.
Q: Do nuclear medicine scans hurt?
A: No, they are almost painless. You are usually injected with the radioactive material into a vein in your arm, so it just feels like giving blood.
Q: What are nuclear scans most commonly used for?
A: Nuclear scans are most commonly used for thyroid scans, bone scans, heart scans, and hepatobiliary (gallbladder function).
Q: Is nuclear medicine safe?
A: Yes, nuclear medicine is safe because dosages are small enough that the body can eliminate the radioactive material quickly.
References
Medscience, Open. "History of Nuclear Medicine: A Century of Innovation and Impact." Open Medscience, 4 Jan. 2024, https://openmedscience.com/history-of-nuclear-medicine-a-century-of-innovation-and-impact/.
Health, VCU. "Nuclear Medicine | VCU Health." Vcuhealth.org, 2025, https://www.vcuhealth.org/services/radiology/nuclear-medicine/.
John Hopkins Medicine. "Nuclear Medicine." John Hopkins Medicine, 2019, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/nuclear-medicine.
Northwestern Medicine. "Nuclear Medicine." Northwestern Medicine, 2025, https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/imaging-services/nuclear-medicine.
Atlantic Medical Imaging. "Nuclear Medicine FAQs | Nuclear Medicine in New Jersey." Atlantic Medical Imaging, 2025, https://www.atlanticmedicalimaging.com/radiology-services/nuclear-medicine/nuclear-medicine-faqs/.
Sfmc.net, 2021, https://www.sfmc.net/service/other-services/imaging/nuclear-medicine-faq/. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
"Medical Radioisotopes | RTU Center of High Energy Physics and Accelerator Technologies." https://www.rtu.lv/en/hep/accelerator-technologies/particle-accelerators-and-societal-applications/medical-radioisotopes.
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