Cancer patients in the Auckland region will soon have ready access to leading-edge diagnostic technology to guide life-saving treatments, with the decision by the University of Auckland and Mercy Radiology to establish a world-class cancer research, diagnosis and treatment facility in Auckland. A consortium comprising the University, Mercy Radiology and imaging technology and solutions provider, Siemens Healthcare, today announced a three-year plan to install two world-class scanners and a radio-isotope production machine in the city. Mercy Radiology is a joint venture between Sonic Healthcare and Mercy Ascot.
The first stage of the project will be the establishment of a Positron Emission Tomography – CT (PET-CT) scanner at Mercy Radiology’s Epsom site – the first in the city and the second only to be established in New Zealand. A second PET-CT scanner will be installed at the University in approximately 18 months, and the radio-isotope producer, termed a Cyclotron, is also planned for 2011.
Mercy Radiology Director Dr Andrew Wong says the PET-CT technology is a vital and well-established part of cancer diagnosis and treatment worldwide and was long overdue in Auckland. The scanner is a significant advancement on existing diagnostic technology because it enables the identification of the presence of cancers, and particularly their progress, to be assessed much more accurately, he says. “We are able to look inside the body to locate cancers, and see if tumours have spread or have been halted by the treatment. With this technology, it’s easier to gauge the extent of cancer growth and thus understand how successful a treatment has been. It enables us to make a much better decision on what the best treatment would be, and in some instances that can be about avoiding unnecessary treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy.”
Until now, says Dr Wong, patients in the Auckland region requiring that kind of diagnosis had to travel to Wellington or Australia, which was extremely stressful for the patients and their families, and costly. “It also meant there were real restrictions on the number of patients that could be diagnosed.”
“This is a very positive step up for cancer sufferers in the Northern region,” believes John Loof, Chief Executive of the Auckland Cancer Society. “The ability for patients and clinicians to have the best understanding of what a cancer may be doing is vital. This technology provides this greater level of information, and in conjunction with a world class research programme it means we can continue looking for answers and treatments in the fight against cancer.”
University of Auckland Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Professor Iain Martin says the power of the consortium was more than simply the installation of new scanning technology. He says the dual PET-CTs and the Cyclotron will create an internationally significant cancer treatment and research resource, producing enormous benefits and potential for medical advances. “Being able to produce the specialised radio-isotopes used in cancer research takes us to a new level in terms of cutting-edge research into new treatments such as anti-cancer medicines.”
Professor Martin says the University already has a reputation as a leading imaging and oncology research institution, with a number of important medicine developments achieved. “These will be research-grade scanners; with them and the Cyclotron we will be able to carry out more advanced testing and trials of cancer medicines. This will be a huge boost for cancer science in NZ.”
Another important benefit of the new facility will be its role in attracting and retaining top-class medical and research staff to Auckland and New Zealand, says Professor Martin.
Siemens Healthcare executive manager Andrew Wickers says Siemens’ involvement in the project was both as a supplier of the leading edge equipment involved and as an active research partner. “This is a natural extension of our existing research partnership at the University’s Centre of Advanced MRI (CAMRI), which is developing new techniques for the diagnosis of heart disease.”
Dr Wong says the total cost of purchasing and installing the scanners and Cyclotron will be around $20 million, with the first PET-CT scanner is planned for installation in mid-2010.
Discussions are underway with the Auckland DHB on the DHB’s use of the new facilities for diagnosis and treatment of public patients. The University has an existing relationship with the DHB through CAMRI by which DHB patients receive treatment through the University’s MRI facilities.
CAMRI Director and Auckland MRI Research Group Clinical Director Associate Professor Brett Cowan says the consortium’s vision is of “a first-class, world-class cancer research centre producing ground-breaking medicines and treatments for New Zealanders in five years’ time. This will be a huge boost for cancer patients in New Zealand.”
The consortium partners have also briefed a number of key stakeholders on the project, and further discussions and full consultation where required are planned in the months ahead.