Diagnostic imaging modalities utilized in the care of cancer patients must fulfill several requirements: they must diagnose and characterize tumors with a high accuracy, must reliably stage and restage the disease and should allow for monitoring the effects of therapeutic interventions on the course of the disease. Ideally, imaging enables physicians to predict treatment responses before therapies are initiated. They should impact patient management by guiding treating physicians to appropriate, individualized treatment strategies. There is ample evidence that positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/CT imaging meet these requirements.

New integrated imaging for brain tumors offers insight into tumor metabolism

As personalized medicine attempts to revolutionize healthcare, giving patients access to tailored medical care, PET/CT is emerging with the promise of personalized therapies for oncology, including womens cancers to provide the right patient with the right treatment at the right time.

The next generation of molecular imaging technology is here. Pioneers plan to deploy integrated molecular imaging early next year. This newest solution takes a new approach. Siemens Medical Solutions Biograph mCT (molecular CT) unites top-of-the-line molecular imaging components such as ultraHDPET technologyHDPET and time-of-flight, combined with advanced CT capabilities up to 128 slices to offer dramatic clinical and throughput improvements. The system, which shows the sum of CT and PET is greater than its parts, also provides increased flexibility and speed, key metrics in todays tight fiscal climate.

The ACR is set to launch a new modular MRI accreditation program designed to meet the specific practice patterns of individual facilities. Sometime this month, the current general MRI accreditation program will transition to the new program—which includes brain, spine, musculoskeletal, body, MR angiography, and cardiac modules—opening the door to

Imaging biomarkers have been developed for use in early cancer diagnosis, staging and restaging of disease and monitoring the effects of therapeutic interventions. In addition, biomarkers for evaluating coronary function and perfusion are well-established. Imaging biomarkers targeting neurodegenerative diseases also are widely used in the clinic.

Obesity is a known risk factor for ischemic heart disease, and conducting advanced coronary analysis within this patient population is challenging. SPECT/CT has emerged as a molecular imaging workhorse for evaluating obese patients with coronary artery disease.

CLR1404 is entering clinical trials as an anti-cancer therapy agent. It appears well-suited to staging a variety of cancer types and metastatic disease. More specific than FDG, it avoids the complications caused by inflammation or scar tissue. Stay tuned.