A team of scientists in Glasgow has discovered a fresh method of detecting and managing colorectal cancer using imaging tools, eliminating the necessity for biopsies.

Biopsies involve a potentially dangerous procedure that can lead to health complications like infection, and are restricted in their ability to fully assess a patient’s digestive tract.

Cancer researchers from Cancer Research UK have discovered that positron emission tomography (PET) scans can be used to examine the entire bowel and study tumors within the body, instead of only being able to study tissue after it has been removed.

PET scans produce a 3D image of the internal body, and experts believe conducting multiple scans throughout treatment may improve disease monitoring.

According to the leader of the research, Dr. David Lewis from the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and the University of Glasgow, the use of precision medicine could greatly transform the way we approach cancer diagnosis and treatment.

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“Nevertheless, the key to its success lies in the advancement of precise and informative diagnostic methods that are also user-friendly for patients.”

PET imaging provides a potential alternative, as it allows for a comprehensive survey of cancer and the ability to analyze tumors in greater depth during their development.

Cancer Research UK reports that roughly 4,000 individuals in Scotland receive a diagnosis of bowel cancer every year, and approximately 1,800 of those diagnoses result in death.

The scientists utilized available genetic information on colon cancer to detect various tumor features through PET scans.

They were able to identify various forms of bowel cancer in mice by examining their genetic makeup.

Dr Catherine Elliott, director of research at Cancer Research UK, said: “These findings by the team at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and University of Glasgow offer an exciting opportunity to revolutionise the way we diagnose and monitor bowel cancer without invasive surgery, reducing the risk and improving outcomes for patients.

“Utilizing PET imaging plays a vital role in our future strategy for identifying this illness, which impacts a significant population in Scotland.”

Source: theguardian.com