Kazakhstan’s first Radionuclide Therapy Department opened in Semey city

A unique, effective and safe method of treating thyroid cancer was introduced in the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology of Semey city.

Akim of East Kazakhstan region Danial Akhmetov visited the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology of Semey city, where a new Radionuclide Therapy Department was launched today and the first patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer and thyrotoxicosis were admitted for a course of unique radioiodine therapy.

The representatives of the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology said that today radioiodine therapy is the most effective and safe method for treating differentiated thyroid cancer with distant metastases and thyrotoxicosis. More than 70% of all medical procedures involving the use of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals falls at it.

The uniqueness of this technique is that the beta particles emitted by sodium iodide I-131 affect the tissue within a range of only 2 mm. This type of radiation is not harmful to other organs. It is precisely the precision and precision of the action of radioactive iodine that underlie radioiodine therapy and determine its effectiveness.

“East Kazakhstan region is among the leaders in terms of the malignant tumors case rate. Over 18,000 patients are registered. About 600 thyroid cancer patients need radioiodine therapy in Kazakhstan every year. The opening of such a Center is a very important event for the entire oncological service of the Republic.

The method of radioiodine therapy is used for the first time in our country, the treatment is carried out according to the international protocol,” said Dilyara Kaidarova, CEO of Kazakstan Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology JSC, Chief Oncologist of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The head of the region Danial Akhmetov highlighted that the launch of the Semey Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology is taking place in three stages. In April of this year, a Department of Radionuclide Diagnostics was opened enabling starting treatment at an early stage. During the second stage, Radionuclide Therapy Department was opened. At the final stage, it is planned to commission a Cyclotron and Positron Emission Tomographs.

“4 years ago we adopted a Program for Healthcare Development of East Kazakhstan region, conducted a serious audit of all medical equipment and set a task in the areas of “motherhood and childhood”, “oncology”, “cardiology” and “traumatology” to bring medical equipment to the average international level.

We have practically achieved this today. Another key area is the development of human capital. We have trained over 300 specialists in foreign clinical institutions. This year, more than 50 of our doctors will go abroad to improve their knowledge in oncology. This is how we accomplish the task, which combines high technological equipment and the development of skills and abilities of specialists,” the regional akim emphasized.

He also added that as a result of the fulfillment of the assigned tasks, the local authorities aim to bring medical services to citizens in priority areas to leading positions in the Republic over the next 3 years.  

A unique, effective and safe method of treating thyroid cancer was introduced in the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology of Semey city.

Akim of East Kazakhstan region Danial Akhmetov visited the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology of Semey city, where a new Radionuclide Therapy Department was launched today and the first patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer and thyrotoxicosis were admitted for a course of unique radioiodine therapy.

The representatives of the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology said that today radioiodine therapy is the most effective and safe method for treating differentiated thyroid cancer with distant metastases and thyrotoxicosis. More than 70% of all medical procedures involving the use of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals falls at it.

The uniqueness of this technique is that the beta particles emitted by sodium iodide I-131 affect the tissue within a range of only 2 mm. This type of radiation is not harmful to other organs. It is precisely the precision and precision of the action of radioactive iodine that underlie radioiodine therapy and determine its effectiveness.

“East Kazakhstan region is among the leaders in terms of the malignant tumors case rate. Over 18,000 patients are registered. About 600 thyroid cancer patients need radioiodine therapy in Kazakhstan every year. The opening of such a Center is a very important event for the entire oncological service of the Republic.

The method of radioiodine therapy is used for the first time in our country, the treatment is carried out according to the international protocol,” said Dilyara Kaidarova, CEO of Kazakstan Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology JSC, Chief Oncologist of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The head of the region Danial Akhmetov highlighted that the launch of the Semey Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology is taking place in three stages. In April of this year, a Department of Radionuclide Diagnostics was opened enabling starting treatment at an early stage. During the second stage, Radionuclide Therapy Department was opened. At the final stage, it is planned to commission a Cyclotron and Positron Emission Tomographs.

“4 years ago we adopted a Program for Healthcare Development of East Kazakhstan region, conducted a serious audit of all medical equipment and set a task in the areas of “motherhood and childhood”, “oncology”, “cardiology” and “traumatology” to bring medical equipment to the average international level.

We have practically achieved this today. Another key area is the development of human capital. We have trained over 300 specialists in foreign clinical institutions. This year, more than 50 of our doctors will go abroad to improve their knowledge in oncology. This is how we accomplish the task, which combines high technological equipment and the development of skills and abilities of specialists,” the regional akim emphasized.

He also added that as a result of the fulfillment of the assigned tasks, the local authorities aim to bring medical services to citizens in priority areas to leading positions in the Republic over the next 3 years.