Diagnostic Procedure
scan gallium
scan gal·li·um
Definitions related to scan gallium:
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(gallium scan) A nuclear imaging procedure in which gallium-67 is used as the radiopharmaceutical. Gallium binds to transferrin, leukocyte lactoferrin, bacterial siderophores and inflammatory proteins and thereby can be used to localize foci of infection. It is also taken up by several tumors, thus gallium scintigraphy can be used for the staging of tumors.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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(gallium scan) A procedure to detect areas of the body where cells are dividing rapidly. It is used to locate cancer cells or areas of inflammation. A very small amount of radioactive gallium is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream. The gallium is taken up by rapidly dividing cells in the bones, tissues, and organs and is detected by a scanner.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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