Next-Generation Scanner at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Helps Detect Disease at Earlier Stages

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Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) is the first hospital in the area to install a next-generation scanner that helps doctors detect disease in its early stages and monitor the progress of patients’ treatment.

The GE Discovery STE scanner combines two kinds of imaging to give doctors complete information about the patient’s condition in a single exam that decreases exam time by half and reduces the amount of radiation patients receive. Previously, doctors had to put patients through two separate scans to get similar information.

The Discovery STE is the latest system of its kind with advanced applications in oncology, neurology, and cardiology. It combines computed tomography (CT), which provides highly detailed pictures of the patient’s anatomy, with positron emission tomography (PET), which for oncology helps doctors determine whether a suspicious growth is cancerous or benign.

“Using the combined images, our doctors can answer critical questions,” said Sean Whip, administrative director of medical imaging at FSLH. “Where is the tumor? Is it spreading? How large is it? What is the best way to treat it? Is the treatment working? In some cases, a definitive diagnosis can help the patient avoid painful invasive procedures, such as biopsies.”

In addition, the scanner can be used for follow-up care. Doctors can monitor the patient during treatment, check progress and, if necessary, adjust the treatment plan – instead of waiting until the end of treatment to do a follow-up study.

“A combined PET/CT scanner helps radiation oncologists provide superior care to our cancer patients by being able to more clearly and precisely identify the affected areas,” said Dr. Alfred Tinger, medical director of radiation oncology at FSLH. “This maximizes our ability to protect the normal structures, so the benefits of radiation are increased while the potential toxicities are reduced. Additionally, the radiologists who help us determine whether cancer is present or not and the clinicians who need to inform patients of their diagnosis will have the latest tool to enhance the care of their patients.”

FSLH is a Regional Cancer Center and accredited by the American College of Surgeons.

“This new scanner helps us to provide a higher level of cancer detection and care for the residents of our community,” said Dr. John Ellis, a radiologist at FSLH and New Hartford Scanner Associates. “We are glad to have the opportunity to offer this type of convenient, advanced care to our patients.”

For more information, contact FSLH’s Communication and Marketing Department at (315) 624-5600.

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For Immediate Release
March 16, 2010

Contact:

Debra Altdoerffer
VP, Communications and Marketing
(315) 624-5716
daltdoer@mvnhealth.com

Erin Bushinger
Communications Specialist
(315) 624-5581
ebushing@mvnhealth.com