* First radiopharmaceutical lab in Qatar opens
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has announced the commencement of nuclear treatment of tumours following the opening of the first Radiopharmaceutical Laboratory in in the country. The new laboratory, located at HMC’s National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), will provide cancer patients with diagnostic and therapeutic care locally, saving them the need to travel abroad for such care.
These drugs are safely prepared in conformance with international standards where doses are meticulously calculated to suit the types of tumours and the needs of patients. Drug doses are subject to quality control checks prior to administrating them to patients, Dr al-Kuwari explained.“The nuclear treatment of tumours is based on radioactive drugs which target and destroy cancerous cells without affecting normal or healthy surrounding cells. This technique is a highly effective option to treat malignant thyroid, hepatic, prostate, and endocrine tumours. Following the diagnostic process, therapeutic drugs are prepared by a highly trained team. Similar laboratories will be established across HMC facilities in the future to meet patient needs in the country,” Dr al-Kuwari added.Nuclear medicine therapy is an approach to treating cancer that might be used with or after other treatment options, such as chemotherapy and surgery. It won't usually lead to a cure unless combined with other therapies. But for many people it will control symptoms and shrink and stabilise the tumours, sometimes for years.An example of the latest technologies utilised at the unit is the introduction of the 2nd Positron Emission Tomography - Computed Tomography, better known as PET-CT. Clinical research has shown that PET-CT diagnostic approach is far more effective than conventional scanning as it helps healthcare professionals differentiate malignant tumours from benign ones. The PET-CT has helped reduce patientstarget="_blank"'>