June E. Nylen Cancer Center Commissions New State-of-the-Art PET Scanner

We are committed to providing the most advanced cancer treatment in the region and that requires state-of-the-art technology. The most recent upgrade in our center’s equipment occurred this month as we commissioned and started using a new leading-edge PET scanner. Positron emission tomography (PET) is an important tool in the diagnosis and staging of cancer, including re-staging throughout treatment.

This new PET scanner is not only an investment to the Cancer Center, but also to the medical community within the 15-county service area as the June E. Nylen Cancer Center has the only permanent PET scanner in the 75-mile area. The new scanner, a Siemens Biograph Vision has:

  • Enhanced image quality over the previous scanner. This PET scanner is the most advanced on the market. It integrates a high-performance PET and 64-slice CT into one machine and shows the highest possible resolution for each organ. Accurate staging of cancer requires early detection of even small lesions.

  • Increased speed and less radiation. A skull-to-thigh scan would take 25-30 minutes on the previous PET, but this will be reduced to 10-15 minutes using our new scanner. Radiation doses will be cut in about half for most scans and still result in enhanced image quality.

  • Improved patient comfort. A larger gantry opening, continuous patient port, and short tunnel length provide ease for the positioning of patients and minimize claustrophobia for a more comfortable exam experience.

  • A critical tool in cancer care. The PET integrates with all the other state-of-the-art technology at our Cancer Center including our treatment planning software and two radiation treatment machines that were upgraded within the last few years.   

There are countless examples where the results of PET scans showed an entirely different picture of the situation than what other imaging, including CT, illustrated. Cancer diagnosis and staging are not black/white. There are lots of shades of gray, especially with metastasis of the disease. PET scans also help our oncologists evaluate the effectiveness of treatment by showing the chemical activity of a tumor. CT scans cannot do that and only help evaluate tumor size. Advanced PET technology is critical to our oncology practice.

“A new, state-of-the-art PET scanner will aid the physicians and staff at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center to deliver quality clinical outcomes for improved patient health,” says Dr. Donald Wender, Medical Oncologist and Medical Director at JENCC.

“Diagnostic imaging is expected to deliver definitive and timely answers to clinical questions - an accurate cancer diagnosis starts with an accurate image of every organ. In today’s increasingly competitive and rapidly changing healthcare environment, these answers must be provided in the safest and most efficient way possible. While every medical provider strives to deliver the best care, patient expectations for a comfortable, stress-free imaging experience continue to increase. The new PET scanner will fulfill the demand for increased quality, safety, efficiency, and patient comfort.”

Replacing our PET scanner was a $2.6 million investment. Thank you to the numerous individuals and businesses who generously helped us raise about $1 million to help fund this project. We appreciate your investment in the June E. Nylen Cancer Center and the patients we serve, as well as your belief that our community deserves to have the best cancer treatment technology and care close to home.

Learn more about our Diagnostic Imaging/Radiology Services HERE.

Christie Finnegan