CT Scanner for Designing Individual Treatment Plans
A CT scan (also called CAT scan) uses computer tomography to produce a 3-dimensional image of the prostate and surrounding organs. CT scans rely on computer-reconstructed X-rays to give a cross-sectional view of the body. A CT scan through the pelvis reveals the outline of the prostate. The arm of the CT scanner directs pinpoint-thin X-ray beans through the portions of the body under examination as it rapidly passes over the patient.
CT scans can identify prostate enlargement and show the size and shape of the gland, but it is not as effective for assessing the extent of cancer or visualizing cancer within the gland itself, as is the case with color flow Doppler imaging. While CT scans provide less defined images of the internal architecture, CT images do accurately delineate the spatial relationship between the prostate, rectum and public bones. CT also can evaluate for lymph node spread. More contemporary spiral or helical CT scans provide greater resolution while taking less time to acquire the information.
How Our Center is Different
The Center’s GE Light-Speed CT Scanner captures high resolution images of the prostate, seminal vesicles, bladder, urethra and rectum, which are required to accurately design your individual treatment plan.
This scanner is also equipped to perform QCT Bone Density evaluations for patients undergoing hormone therapy as part of their treatment.
At our center, the CT scan is often combined or fused with other sophisticated imaging and diagnostic techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), PET scan, ProstaScint® test, and especially Nanoparticle (Ferumoxytol) diagnostic imaging. These fusion imaging modalities represent the current state of art and have greatly enhanced our ability to diagnose and treat disease.
