Nuclear Medicine Congress Award for Lung Cancer Research

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Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital’s (IALCH) registrar, Dr Lihle Nxasana, won the Best Poster Presentation Award for her lung cancer research titled: ‘The Prognostic Value of FDG PET/CT Metrics in Lung Cancer’, at the SA Society of Nuclear Medicine (SASNM) Congress in Durban.

The Chair of the biennial congress was UKZN’s Head of Nuclear Medicine, Professor Mariza Vorster.

Said Nxasana: “Lung cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. FDG PET/CT - a medical imaging technique that combines positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT scans) - are now part of the routine staging of lung cancer, however the prognostic value of pre-treatment Fluorine 18- fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT metrics in lung cancer remains controversial. PET metrics such as TLG and MTV are known to predict progression free survival and overall survival.”

Nxasana’s study assessed the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT parametrics in the prediction of survival and treatment response in patients with lung cancer in which Kaplan Meier survival curves - graphical representations used in survival analysis to estimate and visualise the probability of survival over time, considering censored data - demonstrated that TLG of more than 1 000 was significantly correlated with poorer survival.

The MTV (Metabolic Tumour Volume), TLG (Total Lesion Glycolysis), and SUVmax (Maximum Standardized Uptake Value) - all parameters derived from FDG-PET/CT scans that provide information about tumour activity and burden - were higher in patients who died compared to patients who were alive at the time of the analysis.

Nxasana’s previous poster presentation was titled: ‘A Rare Case of Metastatic Mediastinal and Supraclavicular Lymph Node Disease Recurrence On 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in Prostate Carcinoma’.

Said Nxasana: “Winning the Best Poster Presentation Award was an incredibly fulfilling experience! It was a privilege to contribute to the field of nuclear medicine alongside esteemed professionals and researchers. This recognition not only validates the hard work involved but also inspires me to continue advancing in this dynamic field.”

She was grateful to Vorster for her guidance and mentorship throughout the journey. “Prof Vorster’s expertise and support were instrumental in shaping my research. I also thank my team members for their collaborative efforts and dedication. This achievement is a testament to our collective commitment to excellence in nuclear medicine.”

Vorster said she was very proud of Nxasana. “She is a brilliant and hardworking registrar and I wish her many more similar successes.”

Congress participants took part in a fun run along Durban’s beachfront.

· UKZN’s Nuclear Medicine discipline is based at IALCH which boasts world class equipment and facilities, providing high quality specialised services in KwaZulu-Natal. The hospital offers courses in the various fields of nuclear medicine with a high focus on producing patient-orientated clinicians and allied staff.

Words: Lunga Memela

Photograph: Supplied