In Queensland alone, approximately 520 people per year are diagnosed with brain tumours, of whom around two-thirds will die from the illness within a year.
Current neuroimaging strategies utilising computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) do not reliably establish treatment efficacy and long-term treatment outcomes. A significant problem is the difficulty of differentiating residual or potential tumour regrowth from radiation-induced brain injury.
By combining the anatomical information from MRI with molecular information obtained PET images, we hope to provide clinicians with diagnostic information. The ability to non-invasively identify new tumour growth and quantitatively measure early treatment efficacy will have a significant impact on patient care and clinical outcomes.This will assist clinicians develop more appropriately targeted primary or salvage therapies and potentially, improve survival.
This project relies on a close collaboration between CSIRO, UQ and major Queensland based clinical partners at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital including the Queensland PET Service, Department of Medical Imaging, Department of Radiation Oncology and Department of Neurosurgery.