Skip to main content
Fr Donate
  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Resources
  4. Glossary
  5. nuclear scan
Print

nuclear scan

  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Resources
  4. Glossary
  5. nuclear scan
Print

Description

An imaging technique that uses a small amount of radioactive substance (called a radioisotope) . The radioisotope is injected into the body and collects in certain tissues. A scanner takes pictures of the radiation given off by the radioisotope and creates an image of the organs or structures.

Also called nuclear medicine scan, radioactive isotope scan or radioisotope scan.

Your trusted source for accurate cancer information

With just $5 from readers like you, we can continue to provide the highest quality cancer information for over 100 types of cancer.

We’re here to ensure easy access to accurate cancer information for you and the millions of people who visit this website every year. But we can’t do it alone.

If everyone reading this gave just $5, we could achieve our goal this month to fund reliable cancer information, compassionate support services and the most promising research. Please give today because every contribution counts. Thank you.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.

1-888-939-3333 | cancer.ca | © 2025 Canadian Cancer Society