Innovative nuclear medicine technologies have significantly improved the accuracy with which cancer treatment is planned, allowing for more personalised and effective care.

When facing cancer, every decision matters. From diagnosis to treatment, patients and doctors rely on the best possible tools to determine the most accurate, specific and effective course of action. One of the biggest advancements in cancer care today is nuclear medicine, specifically Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography (PET-CT).

While traditional scans, like X-rays or MRIs, provide a structural picture of the body, nuclear medicine goes deeper. It looks at how tissues and organs function at a cellular level, making it an essential tool in oncology. PET-CT is at the forefront of this, helping oncologists make more precise, personalised treatment decisions. And now, South African hospitals in the private sector are increasingly investing in this technology, bringing world-class cancer care closer to home.

What is nuclear medicine and why is it important?

Nuclear medicine uses small amounts of radioactive tracers (radiopharmaceuticals) to create highly detailed images of organs and tissues. Unlike conventional scans, which rely on anatomy, nuclear medicine reveals biological activity.

For cancer patients, this is a game-changer because it allows doctors to:

• Stage cancer more accurately
• Determine how aggressive a tumour is
• See if cancer has spread (metastasised)
• Monitor how cancer is responding to treatment in real-time

Among nuclear medicine tools, a PET-CT scan stands out as one of the most powerful technologies available today. This is global best practice and used as a primary tool for cancer management internationally.

How PET-CT is revolutionising cancer care

A PET-CT scan combines two types of imaging:

Positron Emission Tomography (PET): Uses a radiotracer (commonly FDG, a glucose-based tracer) to highlight areas of high metabolic activity. Cancer cells absorb more glucose than normal cells, making them stand out on the scan.

Computed Tomography (CT): Produces detailed anatomical images of the body to provide context for the PET findings.

By merging these two scans, PET-CT provides unmatched precision, helping doctors see exactly where cancer is, how active it is, and how best to treat it.

The key benefits of PET-CT for patients

1. More accurate staging

Traditional scans, such as CT or MRI, provide detailed images of the body’s structures but may not always reveal the full extent of cancer. PET-CT goes further by highlighting active cancer cells, allowing doctors to pinpoint where cancer is growing and whether it has spread.

For example, if a patient has lymphoma, a PET-CT scan can help distinguish between active cancer and scar tissue left behind from previous treatment. This means doctors can avoid unnecessary interventions and focus on treating only what’s necessary.

2. Personalised treatment plans

Every cancer is different. PET-CT helps doctors tailor treatment plans to each patient’s specific needs and how their cancer behaves. By understanding how aggressive a tumour is, whether it’s spreading, and how it’s responding to early treatment, oncologists can make adjustments to ensure the best possible outcome.

For instance, if a PET-CT scan shows that a patient’s lymphoma is responding well to chemotherapy, their treatment plan may be adjusted to minimise unnecessary cycles, reducing side effects while still achieving optimal results.

3. Ensuring accurate and specific treatment

One of the biggest advantages of PET-CT is that it can prevent over- or undertreatment. Cancer treatment often involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapies. However, not all patients need every type of treatment. PET-CT can help the doctor more accurately determine the patient's treatment pathway by showing a very detailed picture of the cancer and its behaviour.

For example:

• If a PET-CT scan shows that a lung cancer patient’s tumour is small and localised, surgery alone might be enough, avoiding chemotherapy.
• If a scan reveals that a tumour is unresponsive to a particular chemotherapy drug, doctors can switch to a more effective treatment earlier, avoiding wasted time and unnecessary side effects.

This means patients get the right treatment, without unnecessary interventions that could impact their quality of life.

4. Monitoring progress with confidence

PET-CT scans help track progress throughout treatment. If a tumour is shrinking, the cancer is responding. If not, adjustments can be made quickly, saving valuable time.

For example, a patient undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma may have a PET-CT scan midway through treatment. If the scan shows that the cancer is responding well, treatment may continue as planned. But if the scan shows little to no improvement, doctors can modify the approach, perhaps switching to a different drug or considering alternative therapies.

This real-time feedback allows doctors to act quickly, ensuring patients receive the most effective care at every stage.

5. Less invasive procedures

Before PET-CT, doctors often had to rely on surgical biopsies or exploratory surgeries to assess a patient’s condition. Now, PET-CT can provide the same insights non-invasively, reducing discomfort and recovery time.

For instance, in cases where doctors suspect that cancer has spread to multiple lymph nodes, PET-CT can confirm or rule out metastasis without requiring multiple biopsies. This means fewer invasive procedures, less pain, and faster decision-making for patients.

Expanding access to PET-CT in South Africa

While PET-CT has been a gold standard in cancer care for years in countries like the US and UK, access has been more limited in South Africa. However, this is changing. More hospitals and specialised cancer centres are investing in PET-CT technology, ensuring that more South African patients can benefit from precise and personalised cancer care.

This expansion is crucial because access to PET-CT means:

• More accurate staging of cancer, leading to better treatment outcomes.
• More effective use of healthcare resources, as unnecessary treatments and procedures can be reduced.
• Better quality of life for patients, as doctors can avoid overtreatment and manage side effects more effectively.

A brighter future for cancer care

For patients and their loved ones, PET-CT offers more than just a high-tech scan. It provides clarity, confidence, and reassurance. By giving doctors a clearer picture of what’s happening inside the body, PET-CT helps guide treatment decisions that can lead to better outcomes and a higher quality of life.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, speak to your doctor about whether a PET-CT scan might be part of your treatment plan. At Life Healthcare, we are committed to providing world-class medical imaging and cancer care, ensuring that South African patients have access to the latest advancements in nuclear medicine. These innovations are not just transforming the way doctors treat cancer, they’re changing lives every day.

To learn more about PET-CT at Life Healthcare, click here.