Harnessing Nuclear Technology To Strengthen The Medical Field

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Harnessing Nuclear Technology to Strengthen the Medical Field

In modern medical practice, nuclear technology has brought significant advancements in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases, particularly cancer, which sees an increasing number of cases each year.

According to the World Nuclear Association, more than 40 million nuclear medical procedures are conducted annually worldwide, underscoring the importance of this technology in the medical field.

In the past, disease treatment and diagnosis generally relied on invasive methods, posing high risks to patients.

Today, however, technologies such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) can provide detailed insights into diseases, particularly cancer, in a safer manner.

At the start of the 21st century, nuclear and radiological medical technology was still limited to the use of gamma cameras and standalone scanning techniques, such as gamma cameras, SPECT, PET, CT, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

However, with advances in medical physics, these technologies have significantly evolved. One of the greatest breakthroughs is the introduction of hybrid PET/CT imaging technology by Professor Thomas Beyer, which combines PET and CT in a single modality, enabling doctors to perform more precise diagnoses.

Today, the combination of PET with other modalities such as SPECT, CT, and MRI continue to progress. This has gained attention from researchers, manufacturers, and users for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. Nuclear medical technology allows doctors to detect abnormal growths and monitor metabolically active cancer cells within the body, potentially identifying early signs of cancer development.

This technology is not only vital for the early detection of cancer but also for managing diseases such as Alzheimer’s, heart conditions, radiotherapy treatment planning, and monitoring post-treatment responses.

However, its application depends on the availability of radiopharmaceuticals like 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG), which must be injected into the patient’s body. The effectiveness of a PET/CT scan also relies on the type of radiation detector used.

Global advancements in semiconductor technology have driven the transition of PET/CT systems from analogue to more advanced digital radiation detectors. Digital technology not only produces clearer images but also reduces radiation doses, making the procedure safer.

Additionally, advancements in time-of-flight (TOF) technology enable the precise detection of photon light dispersion, enhancing the capability of PET/CT to detect cancer cells more effectively at an early stage.

In terms of treatment, theranostics is the latest technique in nuclear medicine. It combines diagnostic and therapeutic approaches using radionuclides that emit gamma or positron radiation for diagnostic purposes and beta or alpha radiation for treatment.

Beyond doctors, this technique requires medical physicists with in-depth knowledge to map the absorbed radiation dose in target areas and at-risk regions. This is crucial to ensure the safety and efficacy of every procedure involving radioactive materials and ionising radiation equipment, based on scientific methods.

Medical physicists must also be accredited professionals, as governed by the Allied Health Professions Act 2016 (Act 776).

Meanwhile, the cost of nuclear medical procedures remains high due to technological advancements, involving the purchase of radiopharmaceuticals, operational costs of diagnostic modalities, and cyclotron facilities. However, these costs could potentially be reduced through the development of nuclear technology within the country.

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