Oncology Center

Nuclear Oncology

Positron emission tomography (PET-BT and PET-MR), which is now the standard method for imaging many types of cancer, offers the advantages of molecular imaging in cancer diagnosis and treatment. These benefits make a significant contribution to increasing the life expectancy of patients, from early cancer diagnosis to treatment management.

Developments in the field of molecular imaging also led to the proliferation of individualized radionuclide treatments defined by the concept of "theranostics" for each patient.

Theranostics is an emerging medical field that combines diagnosis and targeted treatment, derived from "Therapy" and "Diagnostic". It involves identifying diseased areas using target molecules and then using therapeutic agents to selectively destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Diagnostic tests determine the presence of specific receptors/molecules in the target tissue, guiding the use of appropriate therapeutic agents and allowing monitoring of treatment response.

In theranostics using radionuclides (radioisotopes), tumors are detected through unique biological pathways, followed by targeted cellular irradiation using a therapeutic radionuclide. This approach provides effective treatment at the right time, dose and target.

Major theranostics include:

• 177-Lutetium/90-yttrium octreotate for neuroendocrine tumors


• 177-Lutetium PSMA for metastatic or treatment-resistant prostate cancer


• 90-yttrium SIRT for metastatic liver cancer


• Iodine-131 for thyroid cancer


• Radium-223 for prostate cancer with bone metastases.

How do we do it?

• The distribution and volume of the tumor is calculated using CT or MRI.


• The first angiography shows the vascular structure of the liver. Some of the arteries may be blocked before the final procedure.


• The test drug is used to determine the amount escaped into the lungs.


• After 15 days, the second angiography is performed through the inguinal vein.


• The microspheres are introduced into tumor vessels and/or tumor feeding vessels.

Radiation Oncology

The Department of Radiation Oncology has been using the RapidArc device for radiotherapy since 2010, significantly reducing treatment time and patient length of stay, which increases the accuracy and effectiveness of treatment.

Our department also contains:

• IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation): Tailors radiation doses to the target volume while minimizing doses to normal tissue. Simultaneous Integrated Boosting (SIB) allows different doses to be delivered at different treatment volumes on the same day.


• IGRT (Image Guided Radiation Therapy): A type of conformal radiotherapy that shapes radiation beams to match the shape of the cancerous tissue. It uses X-ray computed tomography images to visualize the cancerous tissue, surrounding bone and soft tissue before and during treatment.


• TrueBeam STx: An advanced radiotherapy device particularly effective for treating tumors in challenging locations. Its high dose delivery rate allows for more powerful doses in less time, improving treatment efficacy.


• Real-time position management (RPM) system: A video-based non-invasive imaging system that provides quality images of the lungs, breast and upper abdomen.

For a decade, we have used gold markers in prostate cancer radiotherapy to monitor prostate movement during treatment using an electromagnetic transmitter. Therapy is stopped if excessive motion is detected, enabling more effective high-dose radiotherapy in a shorter time.

Recently, we have successfully reduced rectal radiation exposure using a gel injected between the rectum and the prostate, significantly reducing bowel side effects from radiotherapy.