Chicago's Loyola Medicine released a statement today announcing it is the first center in the Midwest to offer an effective PET/CT scan procedure specifically for prostate cancer.
According to the release, the scan shows the location and extent of cancer that has recurred after initial treatment and spread to other parts of the body. Loyola's PET/CT scan uses Axumin, a synthetic amino acid that was approved for use by the FDA in May. After Axumin is injected into the patient, the drug is taken up by prostate cancer cells. The fluorine-18 emits a small amount of energy in the form of gamma rays. The PET/CT scanner then detects this energy, and a computer produces a detailed image.
“By knowing where the cancer has gone, we can provide more accurate, precise and selective treatment,” said Loyola nuclear physician Bital Savir-Baruch, MD in a statement.
Follow the link below for the full release from Loyola Medicine:
Nicholas joined TriMed in 2016 as the managing editor of the Chicago office. After receiving his master’s from Roosevelt University, he worked in various writing/editing roles for magazines ranging in topic from billiards to metallurgy. Currently on Chicago’s north side, Nicholas keeps busy by running, reading and talking to his two cats.