Oneida Healthcare Center has become the only imaging center in the area to offer the very latest technology in cancer diagnosis and care. The new technology, known as PET / CT combines the benefits of both Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT), allowing physicians to diagnose cancer more quickly and accurately. The new service will be available by early November.
"This advanced technology allows the hospital to provide local physicians with one of the most powerful tools available to combat many types of cancer," said Dr. Robert Goldberg, Chief of Radiology at the hospital. "PET / CT translates into more precise cancer treatment, and ultimately greater chance of recovery and improved quality of life for our patients," he said.
PET / CT provides oncologists and other specialists the most comprehensive clinical  information available for managing cancer. PET / CT integrates diagnostic PET and CT technologies, making it possible for doctors to collect both anatomical and biological information during a single examination. The information obtained by PET / CT allows for accurate tumor detection and localization for a variety of cancers, including melanoma, lymphoma, lung, colorectal, head and neck, and ovarian cancers.
Before having a scan, patients receive a dose of a "tracer", which mimics substances found naturally in the body including water, sugars and proteins. These tracers accumulate in diseased cells. During the scan the tracers are detected by the PET / CT system, creating an image of the patient and highlighting any abnormal physiology. This image helps physicians determine if any disease is present, the location and extent of the disease and track how rapidly the disease is spreading.
Dr. Goldberg said the benefits of this new technology include earlier cancer diagnosis, greater accuracy in determining the stage that the cancer is in, and more precise treatment planning. He added that the PET / CT exam is painless and safe, and is generally conducted in less than thirty minutes.
The new service further enhances the hospital's complement of state of the art technology. "This latest PET / CT represents the gold standard in cancer care for the foreseeable future," said Dr. Goldberg. "At Oneida Healthcare, our greatest imperative is to provide the best care available, conveniently close to a patient's family and friends. The arrival of PET / CT to our hospital helps accomplish this goal for patients battling cancer," he concluded. |
