Cutting-edge theranostics technology to diagnose and treat diseases with precision, enhancing outcomes and improving patient quality of life.

The definition of theranostics is essentially the two terms, therapy and diagnostics, combined. Theranostics refers to a medical approach that uses diagnostic tests to identify the right treatment for a patient to then deliver that treatment in a highly targeted way.

Theranostics helps doctors see exactly where a disease is, often using imaging, and then treat it at the same time, often using the same kind of agent or molecule.

Theranostics typically involve the use of radiopharmaceuticals. These are radioactive substances that attach to specific molecules to target diseased cells. 

The radiopharmaceutical is administered to the patient, and its movement through the body is tracked using imaging techniques like single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Once the radiopharmaceutical reaches the diseased tissue, it emits radiation that can be used to:

• Diagnose: the radiation patterns can help pinpoint the exact location and extent of the disease.
• Treat: the radiation itself can destroy the disease cells, acting as a form of therapy.

Lutetium therapy allows patients with advanced cancer to maintain a good quality of life with minimal side effects. Lutetium works to lock onto the cancerous cells and kill them without taking the healthy cells with it.

Approximately 60-70% of patients who undergo this treatment experience a positive response, such as an alleviation of symptoms, and in some patients, it may produce a relatively long-term remission of disease in the body.

Theranostics is often used to treat a variety of cancers and other diseases. However, the definition for theranostics care requires a specific criteria for eligibility, and can vary depending on the condition the patient has, and the type of theranostics procedure being considered.

Theranostic treatments are generally safe and have fewer side effects than other treatments.

However, there are risks such as radiation exposure and potential long-term issues. When you have your consultation with our team, please discuss any concerns you may have about your treatment, and our experts will be able to inform you further.

After a theranostics procedure, you may be asked to follow certain restrictions, such as:

• Limiting contact with pregnant women or young children;
• Avoiding certain activities, such as swimming or strenuous exercise;
• Drinking plenty of fluids to help flush the radiopharmaceutical from your system.

It's important to follow your healthcare provider's instructions carefully to ensure a successful recovery.

To access theranostics treatment, patients will need to be referred by their treating oncologists or specialists. 

Scanned referral letters can be emailed to [email protected], or call us on 09 632 5862.