SPECT/CT, fluorescence imaging combo could guide cancer surgery

In a new study, published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, researchers found that combining SPECT/CT and fluorescence imaging for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) that metastasized beyond the primary tumor could help surgeons differentiate tumor tissue from normal tissue.

Researchers from the Netherlands used a mouse model to show that pulmonary micrometastases of CRC can be identified with labetuzamab, labeled with both a near-infrared fluorescent dye and a radioactive label.

“This strategy can also be used for other types of cancer, when a different tumor-targeting antibody is used. It is, therefore, relevant for a broad range of cancer types. Since our findings may be translated to a broad range of tumor types, dual-modality imaging may revolutionize oncological surgery and improve the prognosis of cancer patients," said Marlène C.H. Hekman of the department of radiology and nuclear medicine at Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Netherlands, in a statement.

Beginning in the first week of tumor growth, sub-millimeter pulmonary tumor colonies were visualized with both micro-SPECT and fluorescence imaging. Researchers also found that dual-modality imaging can be used to guide resection of tumor lesions.

"Complete tumor resection is crucial for optimal prognosis of cancer patients," said Hekman. "Intraoperative imaging can help the surgeon to resect residual disease completely. To be of optimal benefit in the operating room, dual-modality imaging should be able to detect very small tumor lesions that might otherwise be missed."

Jodelle joined TriMed Media Group in 2016 as a senior writer, focusing on content for Radiology Business and Health Imaging. After receiving her master's from DePaul University, she worked as a news reporter and communications specialist.

Around the web

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.

The newly cleared offering, AutoChamber, was designed with opportunistic screening in mind. It can evaluate many different kinds of CT images, including those originally gathered to screen patients for lung cancer. 

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