Prof. Jolanta Kunikowska, Head of the Department of Nuclear Medicine, was invited to the opening of the laboratory. Guests included the authorities of MUW, management and staff of the Central Clinical Hospital MUW, heads of WUM departments as well as a representative of SIEMENS company.
The new digital PET/CT scanner replaced a worn-out unit that had been in use since 2008. This was made possible thanks to funding from the Ministry of Health as part of the implementation of the National Oncology Strategy task entitled “Retrofitting of nuclear medicine facilities - replacement of PET apparatuses.”
Officially opening the new laboratory, Prof. Jolanta Kunikowska thanked all those who contributed to this success. The rector of MUW, Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong, also thanked and offered his congratulations.
- This is a success for all of you, the entire team. However, please keep in mind that the apparatus itself does not yet serve for anything. It only brings benefits when there is very good cooperation with the departments - the rector stressed.
- The first apparatus at our hospital was purchased in 2008. At the time, it was the third or fourth apparatus in Poland. Now there are eight of them in operation in Warsaw, but only two have been replaced with the most modern ones as part of the Health Ministry's strategy. One is at the Oncology Center, the other at our place. Which means that substantively the application was very well prepared - praised Adam Przybyłkowski, MD, PhD, Director for Treatment at the Banacha Location of UCC MUW.
The latest generation equipment
With the new digital PET/CT scanner (Biograph Vision 600), patient examinations will be faster and more accurate while reducing the activity of radioisotopes needed to perform them. This will increase patient comfort and safety, as well as allow patients to have other tests performed the same day.
- This state-of-the-art device allows for research in all reimbursement indications: oncology, cardiology and neurology, with the use of various radiopharmaceuticals - stresses Prof. Jolanta Kunikowska.
An accompanying CT scanner will allow precise localization of lesions. A laser-based patient positioning system will also enable examinations based on which radiation therapy can be planned.
In addition, the study will now take place in a friendly space - the room where the scanner is located has been renovated, and a mural with a mountain view has been put on the wall.
What the Department of Nuclear Medicine UCC MUW deal with
The department performs PET/CT with labeled glucose (2-[18F]FDG) for all reimbursement indications. The department also has the capability to perform the examinations with other tracers labeled with the gallium-68 isotope (thanks to its generator), such as prostate-specific antigen (PSMA) and somatostatin receptors (DOTA-TATE). The department plans to introduce more radiopharmaceuticals, such as fibroblast growth factor (FAPI). The launch of the new device opens up opportunities for diagnostic and scientific research, so the department encourages you to contact them (sekretariat_zmn@wum.edu.pl)
