New medical device
scans body for cancer
OLD BRIDGE — Raritan Bay Medical Center has signed a contract with GE Medical Systems to purchase a $3.2 million PET-CT scanner for the hospital’s Old Bridge division.
The 16-slice scanner will provide hospital clinicians with the latest technology to fight cancer.
"Cancer continues to be a predominant killer in our society," said Michael R. D’Agnes, president and CEO of Raritan Bay Medical Center. "And, as baby boomers age, we anticipate a rise in the number of cancer cases we see. We are investing in this 16-slice PET-CT scanner to provide our patients with the best available oncology services, as we will be the only ones in the region to own such superb technology."
The device’s positron emission tomography (PET) and computerized tomography (CT) are imaging tools that make it possible for doctors to locate the abnormalities and help them make further diagnostic and therapeutic decisions, said Chief Medical Officer Dr. John R. Middleton. Scanning the body, PET finds the metabolic signal of growing cancer cells; CT gives doctors a precise picture of the internal anatomy, showing the shape and girth of cancerous growths.
"When we use these two scans at the same time, we will be given the most complete picture possible about where cancer is located in the body, as well as its metabolism," said Dr. Stephen W. Warren, chairman of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging. "No doubt, such a device will help us chart the most effective course of treatment."
Hospital officials expect that the quality images the scanner generates will help cut down on the number of invasive procedures, such as biopsies, required during follow-up care.
Doctors at Raritan Bay Medical Center anticipate using the device for the identification, staging and monitoring of an array of cancers, including lymphoma, melanoma, colorectal, lung and breast cancers. The 16-slice description refers to the amount of imaging information that is obtained by the scanner and the speed in which these images are available to clinicians.
It is expected the scanner will be installed at the Old Bridge division this fall, as part of the $38 million renovation and expansion of the facility. Workers are now revamping interior space to accommodate the device.