Detect metastases
In the Netherlands, approximately 1,550 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year. Patients with locally advanced gastric cancer undergo various examinations, including a gastroscopy, a CT scan, an FDG-PET/CT scan (the so-called sugar scan) and (diagnostic) keyhole surgery. These are intended to detect metastases.
Risks
Professor of Radiology Lioe-Fee de Geus-Oei: “However, the CT and sugar scan often miss metastases, especially of tumors with low sugar consumption. Keyhole surgery allows us to detect clumps of cancer cells that are loose in the mucous membrane of the abdominal cavity. The disadvantage, however, is that this procedure carries the risk of complications and the spread of cancer cells. In addition, this method cannot detect metastases outside the abdominal cavity. There is therefore a need for a reliable, non-surgical diagnostic method that can detect all metastases throughout the body.”
Recent discovery of FAPI molecules
Recently, (FAPI) molecules have been discovered that use a protein that is found only in cancer cells and not in healthy cells. We are investigating whether we can reliably detect locally advanced gastric cancer using these molecules and a PET scanner, without the need for surgical intervention. We are also investigating whether this scan is less stressful for patients. Approximately 250 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer suitable for surgery can participate in this study.”
Expected outcomes
It is expected that FAPI-PET/CT will significantly reduce the number of diagnostic exploratory operations and the number of ineffective gastric operations. De Geus-Oei: “Hopefully this will lead to less burden for the patient, optimization of the treatment process with a better outcome, a better quality of life and cost savings in healthcare.”
Read the press release here of KWF Cancer Control.
2023-08-09 06:58:41
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