核医学中心

Nuclear Medicine is essentially a form of medicine which utilises energy derived from the nucleus of an atom for imaging and treatment. What is unique is that it is a form targeted imaging and treatment due to the distribution properties of the radioactive are used. Only a small amount of radioactive is used for imaging and fundamentally, the targeted lesion will be “highlighted” compared to the other non-targeted organs or tissues. Similarly in therapy, only the targeted lesion would be mainly affected by the emitted radiation.

Nuclear medicine imaging detects early 'functional' changes when an internal organ or tissue is not working correctly. Combination of nuclear medicine imaging and conventional radiological examinations (CT and MRI) provides the optimal imaging in terms of anatomic, structural changes as well as functional changes. Nuclear medicine imaging is basically safe and provides a wealth of information for patients benefit.

PET-CT SCAN

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is combined with CT to provide unique non-invasive, sensitive, accurate and functional imaging the body. The depending on the type of radioactive used, various types of conditions can be imaged accordingly. The most commonly used radioactive used worldwide is 18F-FDG which is a glucose-analog that enable clinicians to map the metabolic activities within the body. Cells which have higher metabolic activities such as cancer would have higher 18F-FDG uptake; thus appearing hotter (highlighted) in the scan. The procedure is very safe and radiation exposure from the scan is relatively low.

• Cancer management including staging, evaluation of treatment response, restating, surveillance.
• Evaluation of non-oncological conditions: Dementia, Epilepsy, Fever Of Unknown Origin, cardiac viability etc

SPECT-CT SCAN

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT-CT) is a hybrid imaging similar to PET-CT; providing sensitive, precise and targeted imaging on how different parts of the body are working. The fundamental differences between the two hybrid imaging are the types of radioactive used where SPECT-CT is able to perform a wider range of radioactive imaging. Similarly, the procedure is very safe and radiation exposure from the scan is relatively low.

• Heart Imaging (Perfusion, Viability & Ejection Fraction Studies)
• Bone Imaging
• Renal Imaging ( DTPA/ MAG3/ DMSA)
• Lung Perfusion Imaging
• Gastrointestinal-related Imaging ( Meckel’s Scan, HIDA, Bleeding Detection)
• Endocrine Imaging ( Parathyroid & Thyroid I-131 Scan)
• Whole Body I-131 Post Therapy Imaging

Radioiodine-131 Therapy

Radioiodine-131 therapy is a type of nuclear medicine therapy which uses radioactive iodine(I-131) to destroy thyroid cells. This therapy is used to treat hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces excessive hormones either due to hyper-functioning nodule(s) or the whole gland per se. Radioiodine-131 would target and destroy these hyperfunctioning thyroid cells and sparing “normal” thyroid cells; restoring the normal functions of the thyroid gland.

In thyroid cancer, radioiodine-131 therapy is usually performed following surgical removal of the thyroid glands. Radioiodine-131 would basically destroy any remnant or metastatic thyroid tissue. Though the name itself may seem terrifying, radioiodine-131 is a rather simple treatment where the radioactive is administered orally only once per course of treatment. As it is a targeted therapy, the side effects are minimal with the low risk of secondary cancers.

The treatment is very effective and is safely administrated under supervision of Nuclear Medicine Physician.

Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) for hepatocellular carcinoma

Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is used for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular cancer and colorectal liver metastases. In this therapy, Yyttrium-90 microspheres are embolized into the hepatic artery supplying the tumors. Lethal doses of radiation can be delivered safely to tumours while ensuring that the dose received by the non-tumorous areas of liver is within the tolerable levels (avoiding development of serious or even fatal radiation hepatitis).

Prostate Cancer Therapy - Lutetium-177 PSMA

Lutetium-177 PSMA (Prostate specific membrane antigen) treatment is a form of nuclear medicine therapy that targets and destroys prostate cancer cells that have spread into parts of the body, including lymph nodes and bones. The destruction of the metastatic prostate cancer cells has been shown to prolong life expectancy and alleviate any metastatic-related symptoms such as bone pain.

Y-90 resin microspheres in vial and microscopic view of the microspheres.

Radiosynovectomy for Joint Disorders

Radiosynovectomy is used to treat painful joints caused by synovitis. This rather simple therapy destroys the synovial tissue that causes joint swelling without causing much harm to the rest of the body due to the unique property of the radioactive which only travel a short distance (average maximum range of 3.6 mm). The injection of the radioactive into the joint destroy abnormal synovial and thus reducing joint inflammation and deformity.

Bone Palliation Radionuclide Therapy

Bone metastasis is a major complication of several solid cancers such as prostate and breast, cancers. For solitary metastasis, surgery or radiation therapy would be usually performed but for extensive bone metastases, systemic treatment would be needed. In most cases of extensive bone metastases, bone pain is an issue. Therefore, radiopharmaceuticals such as strontium-89, radium-223 and samarium-153 can be used for the treatment of bone metastases; providing targeted therapy with minimal side effects and improvement in quality of life.