Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and affiliated Veterans Affairs (VA) Tennessee Valley Healthcare System have begun using a specialized PET/CT scan to successfully locate the presence of tumors.
The gallium-68 (Ga-68) DOTATATE PET/CT scan is designed for higher resolution and sensitivity in locating tumors. Although performed in Europe, VUMC physicians noted that this specialized type of scan has been viewed in the U.S. as offering only limited benefit to a small number of cancer patients.
However, a recent increase of neuroendocrine cancers seen at Vanderbilt led Ronald Walker, MD, professor of radiology and radiological sciences, and his colleagues to more widely apply the technique.
Eric Liu, MD, assistant professor of surgery and a faculty member with the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, said the goal is to see tumors much more clearly with the tracer and then surgically remove all tumors.
Vanderbilt expects to open a fully operational neuroendocrine center in early 2011. Once opened, clinical trials will begin using the radiotracer and other modalities.
Related Reading
PET/CT beats CT in NSCLC staging, but both have limitations, July 2, 2010
ASTRO: Use PET for NSCLC judiciously, November 3, 2009
PET/CT helps speed lung cancer diagnosis, October 2, 2009
PET/CT beats 3T MRI in whole-body primary tumor staging, March 10, 2008
FDG-PET/CT aids in radiation therapy planning, March 5, 2008
Copyright © 2010 AuntMinnie.com
