Nuclear Scan

Nuclear scans use small amounts of low-energy radioactive substances to detect cancers. Nuclear scanning can provide images that show changes in the function of cells and organs. A nuclear bone scan, for example, can reveal the reaction of bone cells to the presence of cancer in the bone before there is pain or before the cancer does enough structural damage to show up in an X-ray. A PET scan is a type of nuclear scan that indicates the presence of a tumor in the brain.

What do I need to do before the scan?
If you are getting a nuclear scan, you will either be given a shot in the vein or asked to swallow a small amount of radioactive liquid. While the idea of drinking something termed “radioactive” sounds a little scary, the amount of radioactivity is harmless. While traveling through the body, certain radioactive substances concentrate in areas where cells are dividing at an abnormal rate — indicating the presence of cancer.

How does the scanning work?
Depending on the situation, it takes anywhere from a few minutes to two hours for the substance to reach the organ being scanned. At that point, you will be asked to lie flat under a large machine. The machine detects the substance, takes two-dimensional pictures of the organ being examined, and shows whether it is functioning normally or if there is a tumor present.

To complete this procedure, you will be asked to change into a gown. The scanning process itself will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes. You will not see, hear or taste anything, and you should not have any side effects after the procedure is completed.