The Present State of Nuclear Medicine Practice in Japan—A Report of the 8th Nationwide Survey in 2017—

Abstract

The Subcommittee of Japan Radioisotope Association on Survey of Nuclear Medicine Practice in Japan has performed a nationwide questionnaire survey every five years since 1982. The latest questionnaire survey was performed in June 2017, resulting in more than 90％ response. The estimated total number of examinations using single photon emitters decreased by 5.7％ whereas the number of PET examinations increased by 24.5％ as compared to the survey in 2012. As a result, the total nuclear examinations increased by 4.1％. Due to the approval of ²²³Ra chloride and increase of thyroid cancer treatment, the total number of unsealed radionuclide therapy increased by 34.1％. These findings indicate that demands to nuclear medicine practice has been changing.