As Hospital Prices Soar, a Stitch Tops $500 (Published 2013)

Doctors Treat Life-threatening Cancer Recurrence In A 52-year-old Woman Using Advanced Nuclear Technology

In what is being hailed as a breakthrough for nuclear medicine in India, doctors at Hinduja Hospital, Mahim, say they have successfully diagnosed and treated a highly elusive cancer recurrence using advanced nuclear imaging technology.

The case, involving a 52-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer, underscores the growing significance of nuclear medicine in not just identifying cancers but also charting precise, personalised treatment paths.

The patient, who had undergone a mastectomy and chemotherapy in 2015 for breast cancer, was declared disease-free after treatment. But nine years later, she returned with persistent pain in her right lower chest — a symptom that didn't initially raise red flags. Routine tests, including ultrasound, MRI, and even a CT scan, showed no abnormalities. 

What turned the tide was a Gallium 68 DOTATATE PET-CT scan — an advanced form of nuclear imaging. The Gallium 68 DOTATATE PET-CT Scan is a cutting-edge nuclear imaging technique used to detect neuroendocrine tumors. It works by injecting a radiotracer that binds to somatostatin receptors typically found in such tumors making them visible on the scan.

Unlike conventional scans, this technique lights up neuroendocrine tumors that often go undetected. The scan revealed the presence of a neuroendocrine tumor in her right rib — a highly unusual site for recurrence. Further, a biopsy confirmed it.

Doctors say this rare diagnostic feat is a testament to the transformative potential of nuclear medicine. "Neuroendocrine tumors are notoriously hard to catch. In this case, we weren't just able to diagnose it early but also plan a highly targeted treatment," said Dr Avinash Wankhede, Head of Nuclear Medicine at Hinduja Hospital. 

The team recommended PRRT (Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy), a therapy that delivers radiation directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. The patient underwent four cycles of PRRT and responded remarkably well — her pain disappeared, and follow-up scans showed significant reduction in tumor activity.

What makes this story notable is not just the rarity of the recurrence site or tumor type, but also the use of a full nuclear medicine pipeline — from diagnosis to therapy.

"We need wider awareness among clinicians and patients. Many still see nuclear medicine as just imaging. But it can be curative, as we've seen here," said Dr Wankhede. 

While the patient remains under observation, her recovery has opened the door to conversations around expanding access to nuclear therapies and incorporating them earlier in treatment protocols.

Speaking to THE WEEK, the patient said she was advised a protein-rich diet and 'loads of brisk walking' to be an essential part of her daily regimen, as part of the recovery.

This kind of diagnostic and therapy based application of nuclear medicine was not available earlier, even in 2018, when actor Irrfan Khan was diagnosed with an endocrine tumor. 

Jaslok Hospital Performs First-of-its-kind Lutetium Therapy Saving Terminal Prostate Cancer Patient

In a first-of-its-kind case boosting the role of nuclear medicine in advanced cancer care, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre has successfully treated a 66-year-old man suffering from advanced metastatic prostate cancer, delivering hope where none remained. When conventional therapies failed and he was given just months to live, doctors at Jaslok Hospital turned to lutetium therapy and changed the course of his recovery.

After multiple lines of hormonal therapy and at least three chemotherapies failed to halt disease progression, the patient faced a critical condition. His cancer had spread extensively in the bone marrow, the vital factory for blood cell production, leading to dangerously low haemoglobin and platelet levels. This caused frequent transfusion dependency, and he was advised to pursue only supportive and palliative care, with limited life expectancy.

Refusing to give up hope, the patient approached Jaslok Hospital. Under the expert care of Dr. Jeyhan Dhabhar and Dr. Vikram Lele the hospital took on this complex case. Despite the patient's platelet count being a critically low 7,000, far below the accepted threshold for lutetium therapy at most centres, the team optimized his condition through extensive supportive care and blood product transfusions.

"Patients with platelet counts below 50,000 are usually deemed ineligible for lutetium therapy. Taking on a patient with such a low count was unprecedented and involved careful risk assessment and planning. We clearly communicated to the patient that this was a novel approach, yet it represented the best chance for meaningful treatment," explained Dr. Jeyhan Dhabhar, consultant medical oncology, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre.

"This case exemplifies the power of innovation combined with personalised care. By pushing the boundaries of conventional treatment protocols and tailoring therapy to the patient's unique condition, we have opened new avenues for those previously considered untreatable. It's a testament to what multidisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge technology can achieve in modern oncology," said Dr. Vikram Lele, Director of Nuclear Medicine Department, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre.

Dr. Milind Khadke, chief medical officer, shared: "This was not just a medical challenge, it was a test of trust, innovation, and determination. The patient came to us when all other options had been exhausted, and his condition was considered too critical for advanced therapies. Despite the risks, our team made a conscious decision to stand by him and deliver the best care possible. It is moments like these that define who we are at Jaslok, where hope meets expertise, and no patient is ever turned away when there's even the slightest chance to heal."

The patient has now undergone two successful cycles of lutetium therapy. His prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a key marker of cancer activity, has reduced from over a hundred to less than 1

Remarkably, he no longer requires platelet transfusions, the last one having been over a month ago, and has resumed his daily activities and work.

Expressing his gratitude, Vinay Vaidya shared, "For years, I struggled with relentless pain and underwent numerous treatments including 20 chemotheraphy cycles that brought little to no relief. Many had given up on me, but Jaslok Hospital offered a ray of hope when I needed it most. The care, dedication, and expertise of Dr. Dhabhar, Dr. Lele, and the entire team have truly transformed my life. Today, I am able to live my daily life with renewed confidence and optimism."

Heterogeneity Of CD8 T-Cell Changes In Advanced Melanomas After Initiation Of Immunotherapy

Heterogeneity of CD8 T-Cell Changes in Advanced Melanomas After Initiation of Immunotherapy

Jahlisa S. Hooiveld-Noeken, Laura Kist de Ruijter, Pim P. Van de Donk, Lotte M. Smit, Marjolijn N. Lub-de Hooge, Joyce van Sluis, Adrienne H. Brouwers, Hartmut Koeppen, Wim Timens, Hendrikus H. Boersma, Sjoerd G. Elias, Jourik A. Gietema, Daan G. Knapen, Geke A.P. Hospers, Simon P. Williams, Sandra S. Bohorquez, Alexander Ungewickell, Derk-Jan de Groot, Mathilde Jalving, Elisabeth G.E. De Vries

Journal of Nuclear Medicine Jul 2025, jnumed.124.269313; DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.124.269313

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