Quantum Leaps in Nuclear Oncology – Towards Precision Medicine

Over the last few years, the field of nuclear oncology has witnessed several advancements based on continued research. Progress in nuclear medicine is leading to better outcomes in treating several cancers. Especially in cases of thyroid cancer, prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumours, nuclear medicine has offered a lot of hope, said Dr. P. S. Choudhury, Director of the Nuclear Medicine Department, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC) and the Organising Chairperson of the annual conference of the Society of Nuclear Medicine India-Northern Chapter 2023, held at New Delhi.

Nuclear medicine is a branch of medicine that uses radioactive substances called radiopharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat diseases, including cancer.  The annual conference of the Society of Nuclear Medicine India (Northern Chapter) under the aegis of Indian College of Nuclear Medicine was organized by RGCIRC this year with the theme “Quantum Leaps in Nuclear Oncology – Towards Precision Medicine” on Saturday, 08^th April 2023 at Indraprastha Hall, RGCIRC, Rohini, Delhi.

“The conference was an effort to share knowledge and exchange ideas about the rapidly growing field of nuclear oncology and its movement towards precision medicine. This meeting saw participation from nuclear medicine physicians, onco surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, technologists, medical physicists, and scientists, essentially all the stakeholders that are involved in cancer treatment and planning”, said Dr Manoj Gupta, Sr. Consultant – Nuclear Medicine, RGCIRC and Organising Secretary of the Conference 2023.

The conference had experts from AIIMS New Delhi, AIIMS Rishikesh, AIIMS Jodhpur, PGI Chandigarh, SGPGI Lucknow, and several leading private hospitals. Four international faculties from Australia and South Africa also participated physically, taking an active part.

Nuclear medicines therapies work on the concept of Theranostics (Therapy + Diagnosis). The same target is being used for diagnosing and treating a particular type of cancer. Hence, it provides a precision treatment with limited side effects. The most recent developments include new therapies for metastatic prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumourss.