In In nuclear medicine, “radiopharmaceutical” are used as source of ionizing radiation for medical diagnosis and therapy. Radiopharmaceuticals are biologically active molecules labeled by short-lived radionuclides. The actual mass of radioactive material in any radiopharmaceutical is too trivial to cause any toxic effect. The radiopharmaceuticals are administered into the human body. The image of the radionuclide distribution within the body/organ of interest as a function of time is studied. Radiopharmaceuticals are increasingly used for the treatment of various cancers with novel radionuclides, compounds, tracer molecules, and administration techniques.
Before such procedures involving radionuclides are performed, the physician is able to quantify the radiation dose delivered by the radionuclide to the tumour and the normal tissues. It is essential that the doses are optimized for the patient protection. Considerations need to be given to minimize the staff exposures through proper equipment design, adequate shielding and handling of sources, use of personal protective equipment, etc. Medical physicists/RSO provide specific radiological protection guidance to patients and carers.
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