This Is the Key to More Targeted Cancer Radiotherapy
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Questions about radiotherapy methods often arise in the minds of cancer patients and their families. After all, the success of radiotherapy depends not only on the procedure itself but also on the accuracy of mapping the location and spread of cancer cells.
This is where PET-CT Scan plays a crucial role, helping doctors plan radiation therapy with greater precision so that treatment is more effective while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
Dr Lim Andreas, Sp.KN of Mayapada Hospital Jakarta Selatan, explained that PET-CT Scan is a nuclear medicine imaging technology that combines Positron Emission Tomography (PET), to assess cellular metabolic activity, and CT Scan to view the body’s structures in detail.
“This technology is effective for detecting cancer, determining stage and spread, and evaluating the patient’s treatment response. With these capabilities, PET-CT is frequently used in radiotherapy planning to destroy cancer cells without damaging surrounding healthy tissue,” Dr Lim said, quoted on Friday (22/5/2026).
Furthermore, Dr Lim outlined PET-CT’s role in the radiotherapy process. First, it determines the tumor location more accurately because it can reveal the most active parts of the tumour.
“With the more accurate picture, therapy can directly target the cancer cells with precision,” Dr Lim said.
Second, it identifies the areas that need to be irradiated. This is important so that radiation can focus on cancer cells and reduce exposure to areas that are not required.
Third, it minimises radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. In doing so, healthy body tissue can be better protected during treatment.
Fourth, it monitors treatment response by assessing whether cancer cells remain active or have diminished.
“This examination helps doctors evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment patients are undergoing,” Dr Lim explained.
Dr Ratnawati, Sp.Onk.Rad. of Mayapada Hospital Jakarta Selatan, also spoke about the use of PET-CT in oncology.
“PET-CT in radiotherapy offers substantial benefits for patients, providing the best treatment planning, greater precision and appropriately tailored guidance according to the cancer condition, reducing the risk of side effects, and increasing the chances of successful cancer treatment,” she said.
In line with the growing complexity of cancer management, advanced imaging technologies such as PET-CT are increasingly needed to support optimal cancer treatment. Therefore, Mayapada Hospital Jakarta Selatan (MHJS) now offers PET-CT Scan and SPECT-CT at the Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Theranostic Center MHJS, featuring whole-body imaging, crisper imaging results, faster examination times, more directed care pathways, lower radiation exposure (low radiation) compared with similar technologies in Indonesia, and is available at fewer than 10 hospitals in Indonesia.
These advantages are particularly important for patients requiring repeated evaluations, as they help minimise long-term risks.
As part of the Comprehensive Cancer Care approach, the PET-CT Scan and SPECT-CT Scan services are integrated with the Oncology Center at Mayapada Hospital Jakarta Selatan, which comprehensively handles tumours and cancer on an ongoing basis, supported by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, an active Tumor Board that provides appropriate care plans, and a Patient Navigator comprising doctors and nurses to accompany patients throughout their treatment.
If you and your family require accurate examinations and comprehensive cancer evaluations using PET-CT Scan and SPECT-CT Scan, you can schedule a consultation with oncology and nuclear medicine specialists at Mayapada Hospital via Call Center 150770 or the MyCare app.
Health information from Mayapada Hospital doctors is available via the MyCare app under the Health Articles and Tips feature. In addition, you can monitor physical fitness using the Personal Health feature to calculate heart rate, steps taken, calories burned, and Body Mass Index (BMI).