Modern cancer treatments use a variety of different diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Early detection of malignancies and precise delivery of radiotherapy are essential for effective cancer treatment.
Krsnaa Diagnostics offer PET CT scans and LINAC radiotherapy. This allows us to diagnose cancer at an early stage and deliver targeted radiation therapy.
What is PET CT?
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans can often be combined with a CT scan. PET scans give information about the metabolism and anatomy of the tissues in your body.
As cancerous cells divide quickly, they require much more glucose than the healthy tissue around them. A small amount of radioactive tracer (e.g., fluorodeoxyglucose) is injected into your bloodstream. Malignant cells will take up the tracer, which will show hotspots of increased metabolism.
Benefits of PET CT scans:
- Early detection of cancer: Shows metabolic changes in the cells before any changes in anatomy.
- Accurate staging of cancer: Shows exact spread of cancer in lymph nodes and organs to stage it as 1-4.
- Response to treatment: Shows decreased metabolism after chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
- Check for recurrence: Can distinguish between cancerous cells and scar tissue from surgery.
What is LINAC Radiotherapy?
A Linear Accelerator is a complex piece of equipment used to deliver external beam radiotherapy.
LINAC machines do not contain radioactive isotopes, but instead use microwave technology to speed up electrons to produce high-energy X-rays or electron beams. This targeted radiation destroys the DNA in the cancerous cells so that they cannot divide, making the tumour shrink.
Features of modern LINAC machines:
- Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy: The intensity of the radiation can be adjusted based on the 3D shape of the tumour.
- Image-guided radiotherapy: Real-time images are taken during the session to allow for small movements in the organs (e.g. breathing).
- Protect healthy tissue: High doses of radiation can be delivered to the cancerous cells without damaging nearby healthy organs.
Relation Between PET Scans and LINAC
Using PET scans during LINAC planning greatly increases the accuracy of radiotherapy.
- Targeted treatment area:
CT scans give an overview of the anatomy. Using PET scans can precisely locate the area of increased metabolism. Combining PET CT and LINAC planning software means the cancerous cells can be outlined to a very high degree of accuracy.
- Increased dose to high-risk area
Radiation oncologists can increase the dose to highly metabolising areas of the tumour.
- Mid-treatment PET CT scans
PET CT scans can be performed mid-treatment so the radiation plan can be adjusted.
High Quality Oncology Services
An accurate diagnosis is essential when receiving a cancer diagnosis. Krsnaa Diagnostics offers high-quality imaging and expert nuclear medicine professionals to provide high-resolution PET CT scans. These can be easily used with LINAC planning.
With accurate cancer staging, we can help oncologists and patients across India with high-quality oncology diagnostics.
