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The Queen's Medical Center

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine

3 male doctors standing with nuclear medicine machinery.
QMC
Imaging services
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The Queen’s Medical Center

1301 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Scheduling Phone:
808-691-7171

Pre-Registration:
808-691-4960

Fax: 
808-691-7007

Home » Locations » Hospitals & Locations » Queen's Medical Center » Services » Imaging Services » Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine at The Queen's Medical Center

Queen’s Imaging at The Queen’s Medical Center offers the largest and most comprehensive nuclear medicine services in Hawaii, providing advanced diagnostic imaging and targeted treatments for a variety of conditions, including cancer, endocrine, gastrointestinal or neurological disorders and heart disease.

Nuclear medicine is a safe and noninvasive imaging technique that uses small amounts of radioactive materials, or radiopharmaceuticals, to assess organ function, detect abnormalities and target and destroy specific cancer cells within the body. Unlike other imaging techniques that focus on anatomy and body structure, nuclear medicine focuses on the internal body function at a cellular level.

PET (Positron Emission Tomography) Scan is one of the most well-known nuclear medicine imaging techniques that produces 3D images to visualize and measure the body’s metabolic processes. PET scans help healthcare providers assess organ and tissue function, heart and brain disease and detect certain cancers.

What Nuclear Medicine Can Do

Nuclear medicine imaging is commonly used to: 

  • Detect and stage cancers
  • Examine bone infections, fractures and tumors
  • Identify brain abnormalities (seizures, tumors, Parkinson’s, dementia, etc.)
  • Analyze kidney function
  • Map lymph nodes in cancer patients prior to surgery
  • Evaluate heart and coronary artery disease
  • Assess thyroid gland activity
  • Detect gastrointestinal bleeding and gallbladder inflammation/stomach function
  • Localize infections and inflammation
  • Visualize blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)

Common Nuclear Medicine Procedures

  • PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography with CT)
  • Bone Scan (Scintigraphy)
  • Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (Nuclear Stress Test)
  • Renal Scan
  • Gallium Scan
  • Gastrointestinal Bleeding Scan
  • Thyroid Uptake and Scan
  • Lung Ventilation/Perfusion (V/Q) Scan
  • HIDA Scan (gallbladder scan & infection)
  • Lymphoscintigraphy
  • Brain Perfusion Imaging
  • SPECT/CT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography with CT)

Radioligand Therapy (RLT) in Nuclear Medicine

Radioligand therapy (RLT) is a molecularly, targeted therapy used to treat several types of advanced cancers. This innovative approach uses radioactive isotopes that bind specifically to cancer cells, delivering precise radiation to tumors while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

We are proud to offer the following FDA-approved radioligand therapies:

  • Pluvicto (lutetium Lu 177 vipivotide tetraxetan): approved for patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) that expresses PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) delivering radiation directly to PSMA+ cancer cells.
  • Lutathera (lutetium Lu 177 dotatate): approved for adults with somatostatin receptor-positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs).
  • Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride): approved to treat patients with metastatic prostate cancer that has spread to bone, without spread to other organs. Xofigo mimics calcium to selectively target bone metastases and concentrates in the areas surrounding the cancer cells in the bone. High-energy alpha-emitting particles delivers direct radiation to cancer cells with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues, including the bone marrow.
  • Radioactive Iodine Therapy (I-131): used to treat Hyperthyroidism (e.g., Graves’ disease) and Thyroid cancer. Iodine 131 emits radiation that’s absorbed by thyroid cells and directly destroys overactive and cancerous thyroid tissue with minimal impact on the rest of the body.

Each therapy has its own preparation and post-therapy instructions.

Our specialized team of nuclear medicine physicians, physicists, nurses and technologists work together with oncologists to provide safe, personalized care to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.

Why Choose Queen's Imaging?

At Queen’s Imaging, we’re committed to providing safe, effective and personalized care to every patient. As a leader in advanced nuclear imaging and radioligand therapy in Hawaii, we combine patient-centered care with a highly skilled and board-certified team of specialists to deliver comprehensive diagnostic services and targeted therapies.

Preparing for Your Nuclear Medicine Procedure or RLT

  • Transportation: No special preparations are required, and you can usually drive yourself home. Specific instructions may be given for certain therapies.
  • Food and Drink: No dietary restrictions are needed, but you’ll receive special instructions depending on the scan or therapy you’re undergoing.
  • Medications: Inform your care team of any medications, vitamins or herbal supplements you’re taking. Be sure to communicate any allergies, recent illnesses or other medical conditions.
  • Clothing: Wear comfortable, metal-free clothing. Although rare, you may be asked to change into a gown. Leave jewelry and metal accessories at home when possible.
Special Instructions for Nuclear Cardiology Stress Test

Radiation Exposure from Pet Scans and Other Imaging Procedures

Read our brochure to learn more about exposure to ionizing radiation from imaging tests compared to naturally occurring background radiation.

Read Brochure