Nuclear medicine to revolutionise cancer treatment and diagnosticsNuclear medicine to revolutionise cancer treatment and diagnostics

Nuclear medicine marks a pivotal advancement in healthcare, offering exceptional sensitivity to abnormalities in organs and enabling early detection and treatment of cancers, including thyroid and liver cancer. Adding to this innovative field is the Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, where groundbreaking techniques and a multidisciplinary approach converge to deliver unparalleled patient care, bringing hope for safe, painless, and cost-effective treatment of various diseases.

In nuclear medicine, radioactive tracers are prepared in specialised hot labs, where specific pharmaceutical powder gets mixed with radioactive material to be used to diagnose and treat a multitude of conditions.

A prime example is the use of radioactive iodine for thyroid cancer treatment. Thyroid cancer is three times more common in women than men. It is mostly prevalent among women aged between 40 and 60 years and men who are 60 to 80 years old.

This targeted therapy involves giving a patient a pill containing radioactive iodine, which predominantly accumulates in the thyroid gland, where it destroys the affected thyroid tissue, effectively treating the cancer. Patients are usually required to follow isolation protocols for a few days to ensure safety due to the minimal radiation exposure.

Mohammed Alotaibi, a leading technologist at the Imaging Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, emphasises the significant role of this technology in patient care. “Radioactive iodine therapy is a fundamental treatment for thyroid cancer, providing a non-surgical option that decreases thyroid activity. This approach is minimally invasive and proven to be highly effective, supporting patient recovery with minor side effects.”

The scope of nuclear medicine extends beyond thyroid cancer treatment into innovative therapies, like yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolisation (TARE), also known as Y90. Y90 therapy involves using beta-emitting radioactive material to treat liver cancer. By injecting Y90 directly into the liver, the therapy targets and eradicates cancerous cells while preserving healthy tissue. This precision reduces the risk of collateral damage and enhances recovery.

The technological progress in nuclear medicine at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is underpinned by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Collaborating closely are radiologists, oncologists, medical physics experts, and nuclear medicine experts, who ensure comprehensive care from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up. “By utilising state-of-the-art tracers and imaging techniques, we can offer early diagnosis and more effective treatments, leading to better long-term outcomes,” adds Alotaibi.

As nuclear medicine continues to evolve, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi remains at the top, integrating the latest research and technologies to provide superior complex care. With each innovation, its Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Program opens new avenues of hope for patients, underscoring its commitment to transforming healthcare through science and compassion.