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Southcoast Introduces State-of-the-Art Scanning Technology

PET/CT scanner helps doctors detect tumors and refine treatment sooner

A state-of-the-art scanner is revolutionizing the way doctors treat cancer. It’s now available five days a week at Southcoast’s Center for Women’s Health in Dartmouth — and will soon be reaching even more of the community.

The new scanner combines positron emission tomography (PET) with computed tomography (CT). These two types of imaging are integrated into a single device: the PET/CT scanner.

“It’s one of the most groundbreaking developments in medicine in the 21st century,” said Jonathan Bojarski, MD, Radiologist at St. Luke’s Hospital.

A More Accurate, Informed Diagnosis

The CT scan provides a detailed picture of the location, size and shape of cancerous growths. The PET scan detects the activity and growth of cancer cells. The combined image gives doctors more complete information.

“As a result, we can detect the presence of a tumor far earlier than with CT alone,” Dr. Bojarski said.

The PET/CT scan is safe, fast and painless. And it helps avoid more invasive diagnostic procedures.

Quicker, More Precise Treatment

Because the PET/CT scanner detects cancer more accurately, treatment is more exact. Once treatment begins, the PET/CT scanner helps doctors refine their plan. Doctors can do a PET scan within days or weeks of treatment to see changes in a tumor’s activity.

“Now cancer specialists can make adjustments in treatment much more rapidly. In addition, they can identify the most effective treatment for that cancer,” Dr. Bojarski said. “All of this translates into better care and potentially better outcomes.”

Reaching the Most People

The decision to invest in a mobile PET/CT scanner instead of a fixed unit was made with the community in mind. In the future, the scanner will travel to additional Southcoast locations and to Southcoast’s new cancer center in Fairhaven when construction is completed in 2009.

“Southcoast really is on the cutting edge with this technology,” said Rose Wach, CRA, RT, Manager of CT, MR & Interventional Services. “As the first site in this region to have a PET/CT scanner available every weekday, we not only surpass most community hospitals in the state, but also many in the country.”