An advanced cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, and even more so when treatments like chemotherapy or radiation stop being effective. For patients and families asking, “What’s next?”, a groundbreaking field known as theranostics is offering new hope.
Dr. Swagat Dash, HOD & Senior Consultant of Nuclear Medicine at Sarvodaya Hospital, Sector-8, Faridabad, explains this innovative approach.
What is Theranostics? The "Smart Bomb" Approach to Cancer
Theranostics elegantly combines therapy and diagnostics. It is a revolutionary medical field that uses a single, specialized compound to both find and fight cancer.
Think of it as a GPS-guided "smart bomb" for cancer cells.
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Diagnostics: First, the compound travels through the body to locate and illuminate cancer cells on a specialized scan, revealing exactly where the disease is.
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Therapy: Then, that same compound is used to deliver powerful, targeted radiation directly to these cancer cells, destroying them with high precision while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
This dual-action approach allows us to see what we treat and treat what we see, enabling a level of precision that was previously unimaginable.
Who is a Candidate for Theranostics?
This therapy is particularly valuable for patients with advanced or metastatic cancers that have become resistant to standard treatments. It is showing significant success in:
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Advanced Prostate Cancer
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Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs)
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Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
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Emerging applications for challenging cancers like breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers are also under development.
The Key Advantages: Targeted Treatment, Better Quality of Life
Patients are increasingly choosing theranostics for several compelling reasons:
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High Precision with Fewer Side Effects: Unlike systemic chemotherapy, it targets only cancer cells.
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Improved Well-being: Reduced side effects often mean less fatigue and a better quality of life during treatment.
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Real-Time Monitoring: Doctors can track exactly how the treatment is working.
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A New Path Forward: It provides a vital option when others have been exhausted.
Advanced Theranostics at Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad
At Sarvodaya Hospital, we are proud to be at the forefront of nuclear medicine in India. Our dedicated unit, led by Dr. Swagat Dash, is committed to providing patients with access to world-class theranostic therapies.
Our advanced treatments include:
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For Prostate Cancer: Lutetium-177, Actinium-225, and Terbium-161 (First in India) therapies.
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For Neuroendocrine Tumors: Lutetium-177 DOTATATE (PRRT).
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For Hard-to-Treat Cancers: FAPI-based therapies.
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For Liver Cancer: Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE).
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For Thyroid Cancer: High-dose Iodine-131 therapy.
Our mission is to provide every patient with the best possible chance at a longer, healthier life. Theranostics isn't just another treatment; it's a breakthrough that can redefine your cancer journey.
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