Selting K.
Conference Proceedings, (2016). American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Denver:
INTRODUCTION
While some diagnostic and therapeutic applications of radioisotopes have become germane to routine specialty practice, such as technetium-based scintigraphy and radioiodine therapy, a rapidly expanding armamentarium of isotopes will change veterinary cancer care. Radioisotopes such as 18F-fluorodeoxy glucose (18F-FDG) can exploit the metabolism of the cancer cell, allowing improved and minimally invasive staging, as well as the ability to locate an elusive pathologic process. Additionally, by using inherent and manufactured targeting characteristics, and by selecting the desired energy for a biologic effect, radioisotopes can be used to target the cancer cell while sparing normal tissue. In veterinary medicine, facilities that work with radioactive diagnostic and therapeutic isotopes are sparse, and the goal of this talk is to inform the listener of the appropriate applications for nuclear medicine for veterinary patients. This discussion will help identify cases for which referral to a facility with nuclear medicine will be beneficial.