Final answer:
A Radionuclide Thyroid Scan using I-131 iodine is ordered to assess thyroid cancer by taking advantage of the thyroid gland's natural ability to concentrate iodine, which allows identification of cancerous cells that absorb and emit more radiation. Gallium-67 is also used for cancer imaging due to its accumulation in areas of rapid cell growth. Radiopharmaceuticals are critical in both diagnosing and treating thyroid cancer, adapting to the individual patient's thyroid condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
A Radionuclide Thyroid Scan is ordered to assess possible thyroid cancer by observing how well the thyroid gland absorbs and concentrates iodine. This is because thyroid cells, including cancerous thyroid cells, are known to absorb iodine. Cancerous cells often absorb more iodine and thus, can be identified when they emit higher levels of radiation than normal cells during the scan.
Gallium-67 is another radioactive material that can be used to image cancer. It is useful for cancer imaging because it accumulates where there is rapid cell growth, such as in tumors. Patients typically receive an injection of Gallium-67 and are then scanned a few days later to allow time for the substance to concentrate in any potential tumorous areas.
For cancer therapy, radiopharmaceuticals such as I-131 iodine are used. I-131 can destroy excess thyroid tissue or thyroid cancer after being absorbed by the thyroid gland. The use of radioisotopes is important in both the imaging and treatment of thyroid cancers, and the approach varies depending on the specific clinical scenario and characteristics of the thyroid condition.