# Isotope examinations and radionuclide therapies Keywords: - [radionuclide therapy](< /en/search?q=radionuclide therapy >) - [radioisotope scan](< /en/search?q=radioisotope scan >) - [clinical physiology and nuclear medicine](< /en/search?q=clinical physiology and nuclear medicine >) - ... Show all keywords - [nuclear medicine](< /en/search?q=nuclear medicine >) - [PET-CT](< /en/search?q=PET-CT >) - [PET-magneetti](< /en/search?q=PET-magneetti >) Scintigraphy can be used to detect metabolic and molecular changes in the body to diagnose cancer, for example. We also administer treatments for certain illnesses.  In nuclear medicine, we examine metabolic and molecular changes in the body that can provide early information on infections, heart function, degenerative brain diseases, and cancer's stage and response to cancer treatment, for example. Many diseases can be detected in isotope examinations before the structural changes caused by the disease appear when using other imaging methods. In isotope examinations, a small amount of a radiopharmaceutical is administered to the patient’s body. The patient is then scanned with a gamma camera or a PET scanner. The equipment available is capable of detecting even very small amounts of radiation. ## Radionuclide therapies Radionuclide therapies are used especially to treat cancers, but also to treat, for example, hyperthyroidism. Radionuclide therapies utilize radioactive drugs, and therapies are used in close connection with imaging utilizing certain special techniques (such as PET-CT and SPECT-CT). The effect of radionuclide therapies is based on the fact that the radioactive substance finds it way to the cancer cell and destroys the cell with radiation which is very localized. Likelihood to recommend (NPS) ## Diagnostic Center Feedback (pcs) 81310 Situation 2.5.2026 -100 88 100 i What is NPS? ## [ How do I prepare for examinations and where do I get the results? ](/en/patient/treatments-and-examinations/laboratories-and-imaging/information-patients-arriving-laboratory-and-medical-imaging-examinations) Examinations always require a referral. More information on the required preparations, arriving for examinations, and receiving the test results can be found here. Information for patients arriving for laboratory and imaging examinations  ## Units related to the service ### [ Clinical physiology and nuclear medicine, Jorvi Hospital ](/en/patient/hospitals-and-other-units/jorvi-hospital/clinical-physiology-and-nuclear-medicine-jorvi) In the Jorvi Hospital, we perform clinical physiology and nuclear medicine examinations with an appointment. ### [ Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, South Karelia Central Hospital ](/en/patient/hospitals-and-other-units/clinical-physiology-and-nuclear-medicine-south-karelia-central) In the South Karelia Central Hospital, we perform examinations in clinical physiology and nuclear medicine with an appointment. ### [ Nuclear medicine unit, Meilahti Hospital ](/en/patient/hospitals-and-other-units/comprehensive-cancer-center/nuclear-medicine-unit-meilahti) In the Meilahti Hospital nuclear medicine unit, we perform nuclear medicine examinations and therapy with an appointment. ## Further information on this topic ### [ Information for patients arriving for laboratory and medical imaging examinations ](/en/patient/treatments-and-examinations/laboratories-and-imaging/information-patients-arriving-laboratory-and-medical-imaging-examinations) This page has information on laboratory and imaging examinations and how to prepare for them. Links to the arrival and patient instructions are at the…  ### [ Patient instructions laboratories and imaging ](/en/patient/treatments-and-examinations/patient-instructions-laboratories-and-imaging)  ### [ Arrival instructions to medical imaging ](/en/patient/treatments-and-examinations/arrival-instructions-medical-imaging)  Updated: 23.06.2025 Print this page