Cancer Detection and Treatment Technology Improvements

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, claiming millions of lives every year. Early diagnosis and accurate treatment planning are crucial to improving survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients. Over the years, advancements in imaging technology have played a significant role in enhancing the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of various types of cancer.

Imaging Technology

There are several different forms of imaging technology that are used to detect cancer, including CT, MRI, and PET scans. Advancements in these technologies will provide more accurate cancer diagnoses, early detection, detection of cancer recurrence, and evaluation of the success of treatments.

Computerized tomography (CT) scan is an advanced X-ray technology that takes a series of images of the body and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images of the body’s internal structures. This provides a detailed image for doctors to view a variety of areas, such as the spine, head, abdomen, and chest, including detailed imaging of the heart.

Advancements in CT scan technology include:

• Photon-counting detector systems
• Dual-energy multi-detector CT scans
• Improved spatial resolution
• Artificial intelligence and algorithms

These improved technologies produce more detailed images and readings, which provide medical teams and patients with more information to better detect, diagnose, and treat cancer.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses a large magnet and radio waves to capture detailed images of soft tissues and organs. When a patient is in an MRI scanner, their body is surrounded by a magnetic field that is typically 8,000 times stronger than that of the Earth. This magnetic field then detects the radio frequencies emitted by the patient’s body. Then, this data is computer-processed to produce detailed images of the human anatomy.

Advancements in MRI technology include:

• Stronger imaging gradients
• Enhanced receiver coil arrays
• Digital receiver technology
• Faster and more powerful reconstruction computers
• Faster image acquisition times

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans are used to detect abnormalities in diseases. During a PET scan, a patient may be injected with a radioactive substance called a tracer. The tracer travels through the body and accumulates in areas of higher cellular activity. The PET scanner detects this radioactivity and then produces a 3-D image of the area being scanned with a special camera and computer. The image produced can be used to diagnose and monitor various medical conditions, including cancer.

Advancements in PET technology include:

• Advanced reconstruction algorithms
• Artificial intelligence-based reconstruction
• Identification of numerous new radioisotope tracers
• High-density silicon photomultipliers

These technologies help improve PET image clarity, improve the ability to detect smaller tumors and lesions, improve detection accuracy, and evaluate treatment response.