Theranostic Therapy

The term "theranostic" is derived from the fusion of "therapy" and "diagnostic." This innovative method involves using one radioactive drug to pinpoint the main tumour and any spreading tumours, and a second radioactive drug to provide targeted therapy for effective treatment. Due to its precision, theranostics minimizes the likelihood of causing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

• The radiotracers consist of two parts: a biological side that navigates through the bloodstream, seeking out cancer cells, and a radioactive component. The biological side remains nearly the same for both diagnostic and treatment phases of theranostic therapy and precisely attaches itself to the target on tumour cells. As healthy cells often lack this specific target, radiotracers generally avoid attaching to them.
• In the diagnostic phase, the radioactive agent used emits a low level of radiation, capturing images of cancer cells where the radiotracer has connected.
• In the treatment phase, a more potent radioactive agent is used to destroy the cancer cells.

Which cancers can be treated?

Theranostics, a powerful tool in cancer treatment, is effective for various types of cancer, including

• Neuroendocrine cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Adult pheochromocytoma
• Paraganglioma
• Pediatric neuroblastoma

How does it work?

• You will receive an intravenous injection of radiotracer in your arm or hand. The radiotracer takes about an hour to absorb and bind to cancer cells.
• A PET scan is done which reveals the presence and location of cancer in the body.
• A nuclear medicine physician will review the images and send a report to your cancer physician.
• Your doctor decides whether to proceed with a follow-up treatment radiotracer that specifically targets and kills the indicated cancer cells.
• The treatment radiotracer is injected, which may last for a few minutes. This is followed by a period of observation.
• After observation, you can go home. After a few days, the radiation is eliminated through bodily fluids