Imaging technology that both measures how quickly a tumor is growing and pinpoints its exact location is available at Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center (YRMC) East in Prescott Valley.
“This is extremely advanced imaging technology,” says Mary Sterling, Director of Diagnostic and Cardiovascular Imaging at YRMC. “It’s important to the comprehensive medical imaging services we provide Yavapai County.”
Top Technology
The “Time-of-Flight” (TOF) technology combines Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET/CT) in a single imaging unit. The job of the PET scan is to detect molecular activity within the body for diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. The CT scan precisely locates the cancer.
The PET/CT is located in Imaging Services on the first floor of YRMC East in Prescott Valley. It includes a room with comfortable chairs and blankets, where patients can relax before exams.
“PET is a nuclear medicine procedure,” explains Sterling. “This means patients receive a small amount of radiation, called a radioisotope, before exams. They need a comfortable place to relax for an hour before the procedure. This helps us to get the best scan possible.”
PET/CT Helps Cancer Patients
At YRMC, PET/CT technology is used to:
- Diagnose and stage all types of cancers.
- Monitor treatment progress in patients who have undergone radiation therapy or chemotherapy
- Determine whether a cancer has spread in the body
- Assess the effectiveness of treatment
To learn more about Imaging Services at YRMC, visit DignityHealth.org/YRMC.
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Submitted by Dignity Health, Yavapai Regional Medical Center