International Recognition for Nuclear Medicine Cancer Finding

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The award for Best Poster Presentation at the 2024 International Conference on Hybrid Imaging (IPET) in Vienna, Austria, went to the Discipline of Nuclear Medicine’s Registrar at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in Durban, Dr Thembelihle Nxasana, who presented a rare case of prostate cancer which identified through medical imaging.

In 2021, the oncology team at IALCH treated a 55-year-old male who presented with prostate cancer. His treatment commenced successfully, but in 2023 it was discovered that the cancer had progressed biochemically and radiologically. It had spread to thoracic and cervical lymph nodes in his body, which was a rare phenomenon as no traces of cancer were found in the abdomen through which it commonly spreads upwards from the pelvic region in the case of prostate cancer.

Nxasana said it was quite rare to discover the spread of prostate cancer to lymph nodes above the diaphragm without the abdominopelvic lymph nodes being affected.

The patient underwent an ultrasound guided biopsy of the left supraclavicular lymph node (lymph nodes found above the clavicle) which confirmed the presence of prostate cancerous cells. This case highlighted the importance of a high index of suspicion for cancers that spread beyond the place where it started to other areas of the human body.

Presenting for the first time at IPET 2024, Nxasana expressed what an honour it was to receive an award at the conference. Her presentation was titled: “A Rare Case of Metastatic Mediastinal and Supraclavicular Lymph Node Disease Recurrence on ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA PET/CT in Prostate Carcinoma”.

Nxasana’s award amplifies the Discipline’s trailblazing record of innovative cancer therapy.

IPET organisers, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said medical imaging technology was one of the most revolutionary innovations, which played a fundamental role in the management of patients with a broad spectrum of pathologies. A wide range of clinical scenarios depended on it, including early diagnosis, the evaluation of disease location and spread, the establishment of a prognosis, support in the selection of the appropriate therapy, the evaluation of therapy response and patient follow-up.

Nxasana said: ‘Nuclear medicine combines functional imaging with anatomical imaging, which allows for imaging of biological processes at the molecular level, facilitating early disease detection and life-saving intervention. It also combines diagnosis and therapy (theranostics), offering personalised treatment options.’

Nxasana’s achievements were commended by UKZN’s Head of Nuclear Medicine, Professor Mariza Vorster - the multi-award-winning recipient of the Maurits W. Geerlings 2023 Next Generation Award for Outstanding Research and Contributions to Actinium-225 Radiopharmaceuticals.

Vorster is also responsible for bringing the innovative cancer therapy for the management of prostate cancer known as Ac225 Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) therapy to KwaZulu-Natal where it is administered at IALCH.

Words: Lunga Memela

Photograph: Supplied