Nuclear medicine is feeling the crunch at USC Medical Center where other methods for testing are being explored even though they are more costly. Tests for cancer to see if it has spread to the bones are put on hold. PET scans can be used, but are not covered by Medicare for some procedures
and screening. There are only 5 facilities in the world that make isotopes and the one in the Netherlands is scheduled for maintenance shut down next month for 4 weeks, so this leaves us 3 supplies, worldwide.
There has been talk for years to convert a facility in Missouri to create isotopes, but so far nothing has been done, as everything else it costs money, so it appears we wait until the dollars someday arrive. With all the nuclear medicine treatments and diagnosing we do in the US, we have no facilities to create our own and depend on global suppliers to meet the demand. A continued shortage also stands to delay clinical trials that rely on nuclear medicine as well. The University of Chicago is looking at the same alternatives to deal with the shortage. Be aware as you could be informed of delays for planned treatments if you are a cancer patient, hopefully the world and US will address this soon. BD
Isotope Update – Nuclear Radiation Treatments Could be Delayed As Other Plants Close Down for Scheduled Maintenance
CHICAGO, June 12 (Reuters) - A North American shortage of medical isotopes has forced many U.S. hospitals to begin rationing scores of diagnostic tests, and doctors said on Friday they see no quick solution.
Repairs of a leak of heavy water at the Chalk River reactor, first estimated to take a month, may now take three, and Canadian officials say they eventually may leave the isotope business altogether."We are seeing a shortage," said Dr. Peter Conti of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
The Canadian plant is one of five aging reactors worldwide -- none located in the United States -- to produce molybdenum-99, the most commonly used medical isotope. The rapidly decaying substance has a shelf life of just 67 hours, making it impossible to stockpile.
Conti said the university's three hospitals have begun rationing supplies, and they are not alone.
U.S. hospitals rationing nuclear imaging tests | Reuters
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Our facility and the Netherlands one make up 66% of the world supplies of medical isotopes. And we're just going to leave this business like that? Very upsetting and disturbing...
ReplyDeleteTake care, Elli