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Care Magazine
We generally think of tumors as being one solid growth, but tumors often have several independent sections, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Presently there is not a way to analyze the different parts of a tumor; however, the next step forward in imaging will go beyond simply taking a picture of the tumor. Your doctors and their fellow researchers hope to capture information about the tumor's composition with imaging technology.
In order to visualize the composition of a tumor, there needs to be a marker used which can be captured with imaging equipment. UPMC researchers are identifying a number of PET/CT 'tracers' - chemicals which are absorbed in different amounts by the different types of tumors. These tracers can then be viewed in the tumor, thus illustrating the cancer's composition. See our PET/CT page for more information.
Once it is possible to map the different parts of a cancer, it will be possible to treat each part with the best possible treatment for that cancer type, rather than treating a tumor as a whole.
Furthermore, physicians in the department are actively exploring ways to decrease the side effects of radiation therapy. This research includes cutting-edge research in gene therapy to reduce inflammation of the esophagus and lung in patients with thoracic tumors.