In the fight against cancer, it is of vital importance to detect daughter tumors - so-called metastases - as early as possible.
To this end, top researchers are currently testing a new technology.
The first interim results of the study are available.
A new technology gives cancer patients courage.
Top researchers are testing a special high-tech device that can reveal metastases at an earlier stage.
According to scientists, the interim results of a recent study are encouraging.
The special computer tomograph comes from the development laboratories of the Munich-based Siemens group.
1300 scientists work in the heart chamber of cancer research
It is regarded as a kind of heart chamber of cancer research: The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), based in Heidelberg, is the
largest biomedical research facility
between Garmisch and Flensburg
with more than 3000 employees
.
More than 1,300 scientists are working here to ensure that
on-site
cancer
specialists can better recognize tumor diseases and
treat
them
even
more effectively
.
Better chances for cancer patients
A current project by the researchers in cooperation with the Munich * Siemens group will in
all likelihood
enormously improve
the
treatment chances of
many patients
- including children.
This is the conclusion reached by the DKFZ researchers after evaluating the
first interim results of
a current study.
Research on breast cancer
It's about a
new computed tomography
(CT)
method
: For the visualization of bone metastases in advanced breast cancer diseases, DKFZ radiologists have now compared the new "photon counting" CT from Siemens with conventional CT imaging - called PT-CT for short.
Your result: With the new technology,
significantly finer structures
can be
displayed
than was previously possible.
In addition to the DKFZ, the high-tech CT is currently only available to two other facilities
worldwide
.
Breast cancer often causes bone metastases
The
background
: Breast cancer is particularly common in the form of deposits in the bones, the dreaded bone or skeletal metastases.
If they are discovered in a patient, it is usually necessary to initiate therapy immediately: the metastases can cause severe pain, promote fractures, vertebrae can collapse and thereby damage the spinal cord.
Even the smallest changes visible at an early stage
In cancer therapy, doctors regularly check whether the chosen therapy is having an effect.
Doctors use imaging techniques, usually CT, to regularly monitor whether the treatment is working.
“It is important
to recognize
even the
smallest changes
so that we
can advise on a change in therapy at an
early stage
,” says Eckhard Wehrse, doctor at the German Cancer Research Center.
Scientists: Sharp images with lower radiation dose
“Thanks to its innovative detector system, the PC-CT has
clearly sharper eyes
than conventional devices.
We can therefore use it to generate images with a higher spatial resolution than was
previously possible
, "explains Heinz-Peter Schlemmer, Head of Radiology at the DKFZ, and adds:" Or we can generate images with the same quality as with conventional CT - at significantly lower radiation dose. "
Hope for quick approval
Experts are now hoping that the new technology can
soon be used in practice
.
It is not yet approved for the clinical diagnosis of cancer.
The current studies take place as so-called experimental investigations that are strictly controlled.
Can also be used for heart and lung diseases
In the future, according to the DKFZ researchers, the method could not only help diagnose cancer and metastases, but also in the fight
against cardiovascular and lung diseases
.
*
tz.de is part of the nationwide Ippen digital editorial network.