The Division of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging

The MGH Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging offers the highest quality patient care using the most advanced radiopharmaceutical theranostic techniques and the most advanced imaging technology.

Advanced Imaging Capabilities

We leverage an impressive array of imaging technology across a range of clinical applications, including neurology, oncology and cardiology. Not only do we use hybrid imaging such as PET/CT, SPECT/CT, PET/MR. We are experts in advanced imaging modalities of oncology, cardiology, and neurological disorders. We employ multimodality co-registration and analysis on advanced workstations serving the Mass General Brigham Enterprise Radiology network, including our clinical locations at MGH, Chelsea, Danvers, and Waltham as well as our affiliates including Newton Wellesley Hospital, Salem Hospital and Wentworth Douglas Hospital.

Theranostics

Theranostics refers to the concept of using molecularly targeted agents to both diagnose and treat cancer. In doing so, we can precisely target malignant tissues with radiation using radioisotopes, including iodine, radium and Lutetium. Of note, MGH is the pioneer in theranostics, with radio-iodine therapy for thyroid cancer developed here more than 80 years ago. Our program is a team-based collaboration with the Endocrinologists and Oncologists of the MGH Cancer Center. Our clinical services are an expression of the tremendous translational research performed at MGH. Assistant practice providers (APPs), nuclear medicine technologists, and medical physicists join our Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging physicians in providing personalized, holistic care for our patients. We meet with each patient to assess eligibility for specific targeted therapy and then develop a personalized treatment approach for that patient. We take primary responsibility for therapeutic decisions in collaboration with our colleagues in medical oncology, urology, endocrinology and other specialties.

Our radiotherapeutics include the following:

• Radioactive iodine therapy (Nal-131) for differentiated thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism;

• Lu-177 DOTATATE therapy for metastatic, inoperable, and well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors;

• Lu-177 PMSA therapy for castrate-resistant prostate cancer; and

• Ra-223 for painful prostate cancer bone metastases.

We additionally offer Y-90 microsphere liver therapy in collaboration with our colleagues in the Division of Interventional Radiology using a multidisciplinary approach.

Training the Next Generation

We are training the next generation of dual-trained nuclear medicine, molecular imaging and therapy through a combined Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Radiology residency track, as well as a Nuclear Radiology fellowship.

Research

We are involved in both scientific and translational research around precision imaging, biomarker, and probe development. Our researchers have led multiple novel imaging and therapy approaches and are intimately integrated in the extensive research programs throughout MGH and within the Department of Radiology, including at the MGH Center for Precision Imaging, MGH/Martinos Center, i3 Center, and Center for Systems Biology. Technology available to our researchers include state-of-the-art PET imaging, SPECT, radiosynthesis capabilities for novel imaging and therapeutic compounds, and advanced image reconstruction and analysis using conventional and artificial intelligence approaches. We have access to cutting-edge basic science laboratories for novel radiotracer development. Division faculty and trainees are integrally involved in research in collaboration with colleagues in other Radiology divisions and other departments at MGB. Much of our research, especially clinical trials, occurs in collaboration with the MGH Cancer Center, MGH Neurology, and MGH Cardiology.

Highlights and Accomplishments

View the Nuclear Medicine division's publications.