FARGO, N.D. -- When you're diagnosed with cancer, you want to know your physicians have access to the best and safest diagnostic tools possible. So it's great news for patients that Essentia Health's Cancer Center in Fargo now has one of the world's most advanced CT scanners.
The scanner, the newest version of Siemens' Somatom Definition AS, has specially-designed sensors that allow technologists to increase mapping speed, thereby decreasing radiation doses during the CT scan. Minimizing radiation exposure is one of the safety benefits of the new technology.
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Radiation Oncology Coordinator Dave Lauinger (left) and Ashley Lund, Cancer Registry, show off the new CT scanner at Essentia Health's Cancer Center in Fargo.
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The CT scanner helps the Radiation Oncology staff map the location of cancerous tumors anywhere in the patient's body.
“This scanner gives us a level of flexibility for CT scanning that we have never had before,” says Dr. Mark Cooper, Radiation Oncologist with Essentia Health Cancer Center on the South University campus. “With this system, our clinicians can improve radiation oncology care, from initial diagnosis, throughout treatment, to the time our patient leaves.”
While Fargo is using the scanner exclusively in radiation oncology, the system can be used to scan a wide range of medical conditions and diseases. Essentia began using the scanner in late January. Valley News Live, KVLY/KXJB Channels 4 and 11, featured a closer look at the new CT scanner during this morning’s broadcast. Click here to find the TV coverage.