Revolution in childhood cancer diagnosis with a technology that merges three tests into one: "Giving a child only one test means passing through the radiation source once."

We share this news from COPE Zaragoza highlighting an important advance in the diagnosis of childhood cancer, promoted by Aspanoa.

Aspanoa, the Aragonese association for aid against child cancer, has taken a decisive step in the humanization and accuracy of diagnosis of the disease. The entity has allocated 54.145 Euros to the purchase of eight computer systems and 16 high-resolution screens for the Service of Nuclear Medicine of Miguel Servet University Hospital from Zaragoza, a reference center in Aragon. This investment allows for a single examination that previously required three separate tests, drastically reducing the impact of the process on young patients.

Fewer needle pricks, less radiation, and less suffering

The new technology represents a substantial improvement in the quality of care provided by Kids with cancerUntil now, explorations such as the monitoring of lymphomas and sarcomas They required three different procedures: PET-CT, CT with contrast and MRINow, thanks to the new equipment, these tests are combined into one. “This means Fewer appointments, fewer needle sticks, less exposure to ionizing radiation and in many cases avoid sedation "For the youngest children," he explained. Leticia de la Cueva, head of the Hybrid Imaging Section of the service.

El gerente of Aspanoa, Juan Carlos AcínHe emphasized on COPE the importance of this reduction in tests, especially for young children, for whom sedation or immobilization was previously necessary. In fact, the first beneficiary of this improvement has been a 5-year-old boy with lymphoma, who completed her diagnosis on December 15th with a single test instead of the usual three.

A qualitative leap in diagnosis

“For us it is a qualitative leap“Now we can see the images with a,” Dr. De la Cueva pointed out, highlighting the improvement in diagnostic accuracy. optimal resolution, which contributes greater safety and accuracy in diagnosisAlthough technology will have a particular impact on the pediatric oncology patientsAcín clarified that the improvement will benefit all users of the Nuclear Medicine Service, both children and adults.

For his part, the president of Aspanoa, Gabriel Tirado, has expressed his satisfaction with a project that “It combines humanization, innovation and improved quality of careDr. De la Cueva added that this support “highlights” the work of “central hospital services,” such as Radiodiagnosis and Nuclear Medicine, which play a “fundamental role” in the treatment.

Solidarity and research as driving forces

This investment has been made possible thanks to the funds raised through the traditional Aspanoa football match, held last November 9th with the veterans of Real Zaragoza and Villarreal CF, which was attended by some 10.000 peopleThe charity event raised just over 90.000 euros, which the association will supplement with its own funds to cover both the donation to the hospital and the launch of a new research project.

In this regard, Aspanoa will soon launch a New research against childhood cancer valued at 100.000 Euros, in collaboration with the Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragon)This commitment consolidates Aspanoa as the regional association that allocates the most funds to childhood cancer research in Spain, currently funding nine projects in Aragonese laboratories for a total of 330.000 euros. An effort that, as Acín explains, is possible thanks to the “confidence that Aragonese society"deposits in the entity.

Source: COPE