An agent in PET imaging particularly effective in Brain Tumors detection
Within the pursuit of improving cure rates and maintaining leadership in the provision of quality services, the Nuclear Medicine department has initiated a novel detection technique based on the usage of radioactive material F18-FET. This is the first time in the Middle East and Africa that this most up to date technique is applied specifically in brain tumors PET/CT scans where it is mostly effective. This technique is based on the high transport capacity of cancerous cells of amino-acids contained in the F18-FET agent as compared to Normal cells.
Chatting with Dr. Walid Omar, Head of 57357’s nuclear department, he explains that through imaging the brain on subsequent intervals utilizing the new agent, we are able to differentiate between the parts that are hit by cancer and the healthy ones through measuring the variations in amino acid absorption. Moreover this agent has no side effects because of its short life span and rapidly diminishing effect in the body.
Identification of the nature and extent of the lesion: The new agent is most effective in the following cases:
-The utilization of this agent in a PET/CT scan to accurately determine the zone that is hit by the cancer in the brain
-With the new agent will also be able to identify the four phases of the tumor which will dictate which treatment protocol to follow.
After six weeks of treatment, the patient undergoes again a PET/CT scan with the new agent which will accurately differentiate between fibrotic scars due to the treatment or remnant still active cancerous lesions. This would have not been possible using traditional MRI imaging.
Detection of relapse
-The third advantage of the new agent is evident during the follow-up phase after recovery where the patient undergoes a PET/CT scan if any relapse symptom requires investigation.
It is noteworthy that the 57357 cyclotron unit is certified to carry out the production of the new agent according to European standards and is already offering the new agent for free to the children with cancer and at cost as a surplus service for adults, generating revenue for the Hospital