Sodium Fluoride F 18

What is this medication? Sodium Fluoride F 18 is a radioactive diagnostic agent used in medical imaging, specifically in positron emission tomography or PET scans. It is classified as a radiopharmaceutical that allows doctors to visualize the skeletal system by identifying areas of altered bone turnover. Once administered into the body, the substance is absorbed by the bones, concentrating in locations where there is high osteoblastic activity, which indicates bone formation or repair.

This medication is most commonly used to detect and evaluate bone metastases in patients with known or suspected cancer. It helps clinicians identify sites where cancer may have spread to the skeleton, providing a clearer picture of the disease's progression compared to some traditional imaging methods. In addition to oncology, it can be used to assess various other skeletal conditions that involve abnormal bone metabolism, helping medical teams determine the most effective course of treatment for their patients.