nuclear medicine scans

Definition of nuclear medicine scan

nuclear medicine scan

(NOO-klee-er MEH-dih-sin skan)
A method that uses radioactive substances to make pictures of areas inside the body. The radioactive substance is injected into the body, and locates and binds to specific cells or tissues, including cancer cells. Images are made using a special machine that detects the radioactive substance. Also called radioimaging.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms