Nuclear medicine is a form of medical treatment that makes use of radioactive substances to diagnose and treat a variety of health issues. This approach can work well in a number of scenarios either as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other strategies. Here are some examples of how Nuclear Medicine in Riverhead NY can make a difference for many patients.
Aids in Early Detection
One of the major benefits of utilizing Nuclear Medicine in Riverhead NY is how quickly certain types of health issues can be identified and assessed. With health issues like any form of cancer, timing is important to the treatment process. By identifying the presence of a tumor sooner rather than later, the chances of the patient overcoming the cancer and living for many more years are increased.
Avoiding Invasive Treatments
Another important advantage of nuclear medicine is that it reduces the potential of requiring surgery to correct certain health issues. For example, a patient diagnosed with cancer may be successfully treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In the best case scenario, the chemotherapy will destroy the mass. A follow-up series of radiation therapy can help to kill any lingering cancer cells and further increase the odds of survival. While these strategies do have some potential side effects, the fact that the patient can be cured without surgery and a long recovery period makes them invaluable.
Lower Risk of Side Effects
Like any type of medical treatment, the use of nuclear medicine does some with the potential for side effects to develop. Typically, the effects are mild in comparison to other forms of treatment. Those side effects are also likely to fade shortly after the treatment series is completed. Depending on the nature and duration of the treatments, some patients will not notice any side effects at all.
When the recommendation is to employ some type of nuclear medicine before trying other methods, visit and learn more about what they have to offer. With treatments administered under the care of a medical professional, there’s a good chance the patient will soon be feeling a lot better.