Patients benefit from targeted therapies as Sheffield nuclear medicine suite opens

Cancer patients in the Sheffield region are set to benefit from new treatments following the opening of a £4 million nuclear medicine and molecular radiotherapy suite at Weston Park Cancer Centre, Broomhill.

Featuring precision technologies that can detect, image and treat tumours and visualise organ systems in real time, the suite will play a key role in enabling the specialist cancer hospital to deliver newly targeted treatments that will be introduced over the next few years. It will also provide opportunities for patients to take part in international and national cancer research trials.

The centre will build on Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s reputation as a European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society Centre of Excellence for the treatment and diagnosis of rare neuroendocrine tumours and increase the capacity of the nuclear medicine department to provide treatment for these tumours across a wide geographical area.

Cancer centre consultant clinical oncologist Professor Jonathan Wadsley said: “We are delighted to be opening this cutting-edge facility, which will enable us to continue delivering breakthrough treatments to patients in the South Yorkshire region and beyond, and pair sophisticated imaging techniques with targeted therapies to lessen the side effects of cancer treatments.”

The suite was officially opened by South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard at a ceremony at the beginning of March. Coppard was given a tour of the department, which includes diagnostic and treatment areas, special therapy preparation rooms and a hybrid SPECT/CT scanner. Also in attendance were former international FIFA and FA football referee and Weston Park Cancer Charity patron Uriah Rennie, trust chief executive Kirsten Major and nuclear medicine patient Russell Dickens.

Consultant clinical scientist Anna Hallam said: “This purpose-built suite enables us to offer all our patients access to the latest advances in nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging and the opportunity for cancer patients to access new, exciting treatments sooner.”

Lead picture: South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard and Uriah Rennie are shown the advanced technology that will play a key role in personalising cancer treatments for patients.

Published on page 4 of the April 2024 issue of RAD Magazine.