A Gamma Camera is a nuclear medicine imaging device that shows how organs and tissues are functioning, rather than only how they look. Before the scan, a small amount of a safe radioactive tracer is administered, usually by injection into the bloodstream. This tracer travels naturally to specific organs or tissues, and the gamma camera detects the signals it emits to create detailed functional images.

At OncoClinic, gamma camera imaging supports both oncological and non-oncological care, helping our specialists identify functional changes that may not yet be visible on conventional imaging such as CT or MRI. This type of imaging is especially valuable when understanding how an organ or tumor is behaving is essential for diagnosis, treatment planning, or follow-up. All gamma camera studies are performed using advanced technology and protocols aligned with international standards, ensuring safe, accurate, and reliable diagnostic information.

Oncological applications

Bone scan: Shows changes in the bones and helps detect cancer that may have spread, giving doctors a clear view of your bone health.

The application includes:

• Can scan the whole body to spot areas of concern
• Helps check for thyroid cancer involvement
• Post-treatment evaluation after radioactive iodine therapy to detect residual or recurrent disease

Neuroendocrine tumor imaging (Octreoscan): Helps locate and stage neuroendocrine tumors by targeting specific receptors on tumor cells

MIBG imaging: Helps locate and assess the spread of certain cancers, allowing doctors to plan the best treatment

• Used for tumors such as neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and paraganglioma
• Helps assess disease extent and suitability for targeted treatments

Lymphatic imaging: Evaluates lymphatic drainage and disease spread

Organ function assessment: Evaluates organs like the thyroid or kidneys when affected by cancer or cancer treatment

Non-oncological applications

• Cardiac scintigraphy: Assesses blood flow to the heart muscle and overall heart function.
• Thyroid scintigraphy: Evaluates thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, and functional abnormalities.
• Renal scintigraphy: Assesses kidney function and drainage.
• Selected infection or inflammation studies: When functional imaging is clinically indicated.

Commonly used tracers (patient-friendly)

The tracer use depends on the organ being studied and the clinical question. All tracers are safe, used in very small amounts, and naturally eliminated from the body. 

Tracer types

Technetium (Tc-99m): Most commonly used tracer in nuclear medicine, applied in bone scans, heart scans, kidney studies, and thyroid imaging due to its excellent safety profile and rapid clearance from the body.

Bone scan tracer (Technetium-based): It highlights areas of increased bone activity and is commonly used to detect bone metastases or other bone conditions.

Heart scan tracers (Technetium-based): They are used in cardiac scintigraphy to evaluate blood flow and function of the heart muscle.

Radioiodine (Iodine-123 or Iodine-131):

• Iodine-123: Used for diagnostic scans
• Iodine-131: Used for post-treatment scans and follow-up after radioactive iodine therapy

Octreoscan tracer: It detects neuroendocrine tumors by binding to specific receptors on tumor cells, helping identify disease location and extent.

MIBG tracer: It is used to image tumors such as neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, and paraganglioma.

All tracers are administered in carefully controlled doses and are typically cleared from the body within 24 hours, although radioiodine-based tracers may take slightly longer.

Benefits

• Non-invasive and painless, with no incisions
• Provides functional imaging, showing how organs and tumors behave, not just their structure
• Early detection of disease activity before structural changes appear
• Supports accurate diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning
• Reliable follow-up imaging to assess treatment response or detect recurrence

Limitations

• Lower anatomical detail compared to CT or MRI, often requiring correlation with other imaging exams
• Uses a small amount of ionizing radiation, though exposure is minimal and medically justified
• Some studies require longer imaging times
• Image quality depends on tracer uptake and organ function, which may vary between patients

Side effect profile

• Uses a very small, safe tracer dose with minimal radiation exposure
• Tracers are naturally eliminated from the body
• The scan is painless and well-tolerated, with no recovery time required