Pediatric applications in nuclear oncology

Imaging procedures (both as they apply to initial diagnosis and assessing the response to therapy) using radionuclides are indispensible in the evaluation of malignant diseases that afflict infants and children. The diagnosis and accurate staging are extremely critical because of continuing improvements in the survival of children with malignant disease when treated with appropriate therapy. The major role of nuclear medicine in this patient group serves to evaluate the skeletal system and the liver and spleen. It is important to keep the pediatric specialist well informed concerning the role that nuclear medicine can play in elucidating many of the clinical problems that this specialist faces.