Cancer detection: Toulouse oncopole strengthens its medical imaging tray

The TEP Scan, for positons emission tomography, is today one of the most efficient examinations in the management of many cancers. At the dawn of World Cancer Day, February 4, Toulouse oncopole has taken a new step in medical innovation By installing a second 100 % digital TEP Scan and developing an interventional radiology room within its operating room. So many innovations that aim to improve the diagnosis and management of cancer patients.

More precise detection of cancers

As that recently acquired by the Bergonié Institute in Bordeauxthis second TEP Scan ‘Omni Legend’ is a latest generation device incorporating artificial intelligence. This scanner, which provides increased sensitivity, makes it possible to detect very small tumor lesions with a reduced dose of radiation and an optimized acquisition time. In other words, patients will only have to stay under the machine for six minutes, maximum, instead of the usual fifteen. “We have 3 TEP Scan aircraft in total, which makes one of the best equipped French centers in the matter”says Professor Frédéric Courbon, head of the medical imaging department at Oncopole, in a press release.

With the increase in cancer cases, this additional equipment widens access to this essential diagnostic tool. “We can more easily meet the expectations of multidisciplinary consultation meetings, offer a quick care path in senology, and more effectively meet clinical research needs“, Specifies the Courbon Professor. The oncopole is also distinguished by the use of the 68GA PSMA tracer, which has become essential for monitoring prostate cancers. Toulouse is thus the only center of Occitania to propose this advanced therapy.

A state -of -the -art interventional radiology

The Oncopole has also redeveloped a room in the operating room to accommodate the latest interventional radiology equipment. This new space, designed for carcinological surgery and biopsy acts, improves diagnostic accuracy and optimizes clinical trials. “On the equipment side, our choice fell on an arc scanner, called Cone Beam CT, most likely to reconcile scanner guidance and taking into account radiation protection” constraints “explains Dr. Richard Aziza, radiologist. This system also makes it possible to envisage the integration of robotic puncture techniques in the future.

Acts of algology, which aim to relieve the pain of patients, finally benefit from this modernization. Thanks to cementoplasty and cryotherapy techniques, it becomes possible to reduce or even remove, bone pain linked to tumors.

All of these innovations represent a global investment of 4.7 million euros, supported by ambitious industrial partnerships. “For the past two years, we have notably invested in order to modernize the interventional radiology activity and the nuclear medicine plateau”underlines Claire Généty, Director General Assistant of the Oncopole Claudius Regaud.