London: Ordinary sugar may be used in imaging techniques to detect cancer, suggests a new study that found malignant tumours show higher sugar consumption than surrounding tissue.
"If sugar replaces metal as a contrast agent in the body, it can also have a positive psychological effect and make patients calmer," said Linda Knutsson, senior lecturer at Lund University in Sweden.
A tumour's properties can be examined by injecting a small amount of sugar into it, and then measuring how much sugar the tumour consumes. The more sugar the tumour consumes, the more malignant it is.
Ms Knutsson is working with a team from Johns Hopkins University in the US, which has developed a new imaging technique for magnetic resonance tomography.
The collaboration has resulted in the new imaging technique being combined with the testing of natural sugar as a replacement for metal in contrast agents.
It is the first time a non-synthetic contrast agent has been used in human magnetic resonance tomography examinations, and the results are promising, researchers said.
The uptake of sugar is higher in the tumour than in healthy tissue according to the results of tests carried out by researchers.
The tests were carried out on three persons with a brain tumour and four healthy persons.
"Metal-based contrast agents cost more than sugar-based agents. Accordingly, this could lead to a reduction in medical care costs," said Ms Knutsson.
"If sugar replaces metal as a contrast agent in the body, it can also have a positive psychological effect and make patients calmer," said Linda Knutsson, senior lecturer at Lund University in Sweden.
A tumour's properties can be examined by injecting a small amount of sugar into it, and then measuring how much sugar the tumour consumes. The more sugar the tumour consumes, the more malignant it is.
The collaboration has resulted in the new imaging technique being combined with the testing of natural sugar as a replacement for metal in contrast agents.
Advertisement
The uptake of sugar is higher in the tumour than in healthy tissue according to the results of tests carried out by researchers.
Advertisement
"Metal-based contrast agents cost more than sugar-based agents. Accordingly, this could lead to a reduction in medical care costs," said Ms Knutsson.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Healthy Snacks That Don't Spike Blood Sugar Levels Why We Crave Sweet Snacks At Tea Time? Find Tips To Manage Sugar Cravings 4 Morning Mistakes That Wreck Your Blood Sugar Levels The 'Fake' CrowdStrike Worker Who Crippled Windows Users Worldwide On Sonu Sood's Post About Kanwar Yatra Order, Kangana Ranaut's Rejoinder Woman Dies As Portion Of Mumbai Building Collapses After Heavy Rain Kerala Health Minister Convenes High-Level Meet Over Suspected Nipah Virus Economic Survey To Be Tabled In Parliament On Monday, A Day Before Budget Mahindra Thar 5-Door Revealed; Named Thar Roxx Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.