Nuclear Medicine

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission licenses the use of more than 50 radioisotopes that have transformed medicine.

¹¹¹In

Indium-111

For targeted diagnosis

Indium-111 is used to detect blood clots and locate abscesses and inflammation. It is also useful in diagnosing certain rare cancers.

²⁰¹Tl

Thallium-201

For heart health

Thallium-201 is used to diagnosis coronary artery disease, as well as to determine the extent of the disease. It is also useful for locating low-grade lymphomas.

¹⁵³Sm

Samarium-153

For cancer therapy and pain relief

Samarium-153 is used to relieve the pain of bone cancers and is an effective treatment for prostate and breast cancer.

¹³¹I

Iodine-131

Versatile iodine

Iodine-131 is an effective treatment for thyroid disorders such as Grave’s Disease. It is also used in imaging scans to detect certain tumours of the nervous system.

⁶⁷Ga

Gallium-67

For infection detection

Gallium-67 is taken up and concentrated by tumours and inflammation, so it can be used to diagnose even chronic infections. It is also useful for imaging in cases of osteomyelitis of the spine.

⁹⁰Y

Yttrium-90

Hope for liver cancer patients

Yttrium-90 is an increasingly significant factor in liver cancer therapy, and it is also used to relieve pain and swelling associated with some types of arthritis.

^99mTc

Technetium-99m

The most widely used isotope in the world

Technetium-99m is used to study disease processes and observe organ function in many parts of the body, including the heart, thyroid, liver, kidneys, gall bladder, lungs, gastric system and skeleton. Every year, Tc-99m is used to diagnose over 40 million people worldwide.

¹³³Xe

Xenon-133

Breathing easier

Xenon-133 gas is used to create functional images of pulmonary ventilation, which can advance the treatment of asthma and other respiratory disorders. It also helps diagnose certain lung diseases early.

Date modified:

2021-02-05