Oncology Center

Neapolis Oncology Center at Iasis

The existing 40 bed Iasis Hospital (adjacent to the Neapolis site) to convert into a fully operational Oncology Center by the end of 2011

What is PET/CT?

In one continuous full-body scan (usually about 30 minutes), PET captures images of miniscule changes in the body's metabolism caused by the growth of abnormal cells, while CT images simultaneously allow physicians to pinpoint the exact location, size and shape of the diseased tissue or tumor.

Essentially, small lesions or tumors are detected with PET and then precisely located with CT.

Benefits of PET/CT

There are tremendous benefits of having a combined PET/CT scan:

With the high-tech images that the PET/CT scanner provides, patients are given a better chance at a good outcome and avoid unnecessary procedures. A PET/CT image also provides early detection of the recurrence of cancer, revealing tumors that might otherwise be obscured by scar tissue that results from surgery and radiation therapy, particularly in the head and neck.1

In the past, difficulties arose from trying to interpret the results of a CT scan done at a different time and location than a PET scan, due to the fact that the patient's body position had changed. The combination PET/CT provides physicians a more complete picture of what is occurring in the body - both anatomically and metabolically - at the same time. 2

1 Shreve, P., M.D., University of Michigan Health System, (2002, July 9).
2 Hricak, H., M.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, (2002, January 15)