Lebanon VA Medical Center begins Theranostic treatment of cancer
PRESS RELEASE
April 4, 2023
Lebanon , PA — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Lebanon VA Medical Center (Lebanon VAMC) announced that it has been approved to provide Radioligand therapies for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer in select patients. This new service will be available for outpatients only.
Theranostics is a specialized field of medical practice within nuclear medicine that uses a two-pronged approach to diagnose and treat cancer. Doctors use a similar pair of radioisotopes. One radioisotope is used to identify the tumor on a diagnostic imaging test. The other radioisotope is used to selectively deliver targeted radiation to kill the cancer cells while at the same time, spare healthy tissue. This approach optimizes cancer treatment and patients experience fewer side effects. This new technology has been safely used in the United States since 2018. Typically, patients receive 4-6 treatments and can expect improved quality of life after successful treatments.
Dr. Adwoa S. Essel, a physician in the Nuclear Medicine Department at Lebanon VAMC stated, “This novel clinical application of coupling diagnostic imaging and therapy provides our Veterans a desirable customized treatment option with favorable outcomes.” Dr. Stuart Roop, the local VA’s Chief of Staff said, “Having Radioligand therapy available at our hospital provides Veterans access to treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer in one location. These services will be provided in a timely manner and closer to home. It will facilitate continuity of care and enhance multidisciplinary collaboration and the patient’s experience.”
Lebanon VA Medical Center is one of 170 medical centers in the nation with the sole purpose of providing world-class medical care to America’s Veterans. Lebanon VAMC serves a nine-county area in South Central Pennsylvania covering Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill and York counties. Lebanon VAMC also currently oversees community clinics located in Lancaster, Mechanicsburg, Pottsville, Wyomissing, and York. If you are a Veteran, you may be eligible to receive care and benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more, call (717) 272-6621, ext. 6000.
For more information about the Lebanon VA Medical Center, visit https://www.va.gov/lebanon-health-care/, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VALebanon, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VALebanon.