South Australia Medical Imaging (SAMI) at Central Adelaide Local Health Network is marking the delivery of the one thousandth dose of a specialised treatment used to treat patients with a rare form of cancer.
Known as LuTate therapy, the treatment has been delivered to 229 patients living with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) since April 2011.
Clinical Director at SAMI, Associate Professor Marc Agzarian says he is proud to see the nuclear medicine department achieve this milestone.
It is great to see The Queen Elizabeth Hospital offer this cutting edge, targeted treatment to those most in need, including South Australians from rural and remote areas, and some interstate patients,” says A/Prof Agzarian.
SAMI’s Nuclear Medicine department at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (TQEH) is the only centre in South Australia or the Northern Territory delivering LuTate therapy. The treatment is helping patients with NETs improve their quality of life, and increase their overall survival.
Targeted treatment for rare cancers
Neuroendocrine tumours are an uncommon type of cancer which forms in cells that are found throughout the body, but mainly in the intestines, bowel, pancreas and lungs.
More than 29,000 Australians currently live with neuroendocrine cancer and a further 5,000 cases are diagnosed in Australia every year. The survival rate varies significantly from patient to patient.
LuTate Therapy is a highly targeted, internal radiotherapy treatment given intravenously (via a drip), and has been proven to be very effective in controlling advanced, metastatic or inoperable neuroendocrine tumours.
Leader of SAMI’s Nuclear Medicine Department, Associate Professor Gabby Cehic says it has been a privilege to be able to offer LuTate therapy to patients.
“For each of our patients, this treatment has given them the precious gift of more time with their loved ones, and a better quality of life,” says A/Prof Cehic.
“As we look to the future, we will continue to push frontiers to ensure that the very best of therapeutic options are available to our patients.”
Supporting regional and remote patients
Currently, one in four patients attending the service travel to the TQEH from regional and remote locations. Many use the Under Our Roof accommodation provided by The Hospital Research Foundation Group (THRFG) to support their treatment.
LuTate treatment is made available to SA/NT patients thanks to SAMI funding, with the generous support of THRFG funding a specialist Oncology neuroendocrine nurse and patient management registry.
Lead image shows Associate Professor Gabby Cehic with patient Manny and neuroendocrine nurse Jessica.
