Technologies
PET/CT scan
Positron Emission Tomography and Computer Tomography scans, or PET/CT scans, is an advanced nuclear imaging technique that helps to reveal information about cells and tissues in the body. PET/CT is used 98% of the time to help diagnose, stage or restage disease in cancer patients.
Benefits
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- Average PET scan takes 30 minutes; this new technology reduces time to less than 10 minutes
- CT scan shows detailed pictures of tissues and organs, while PET shows abnormal cell activity
- Highest resolution available
- Lower dose of radiation
- Improved imaging accuracy
- Increased patient comfort and convenience
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Breast MRI
Breast MRI scans are typically given to patients who are genetically predisposed to breast cancer or those with a strong family or personal history. For these patients, the American Cancer Society recommends both a mammogram and an MRI annually, beginning at age 30. For patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, breast MRI gives surgeons and oncologists a clear picture of the extent of the cancer to ensure that proper treatment is delivered.
What is a breast MRI?
Breast MRI is a sophisticated imaging technique that creates pictures of the inside of the breast using magnets and radio waves. Promising new evidence shows that for women who are at increased risk of breast cancer, breast MRI can potentially decrease mortality by detecting cancers that would otherwise be completely invisible or undetectable by mammograms, ultrasounds or clinical examination.
Who should consider having a Breast MRI?
The American Cancer Society recommends an annual Breast MRI, in addition to a mammogram, starting at age 30 for women who have any of the following conditions:
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- A BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutation
- A first-degree parent, sibling or child with a BRCA 1 or 2 gene mutations (even if the patient is untested)
- A greater than 20% calculated lifetime risk of developing breast cancer (the US average is 12-13% using the modified Gail Model for calculation)
- The TP53 of PTEN gene mutation
- Had radiation to the chest between the ages of 10 and 30
- They or a first degree relative has a rare genetic syndrome such as Li-Fraumeni, Cowden or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba
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Why choose Breast MRI?
While mammography is the gold standard to which all breast imaging is compared, it does not have the power that is available with MRI. Most abnormalities requiring biopsy that are detected via a mammogram are benign, but the majority of abnormalities requiring biopsy detected by MRI turn out to be malignant. This means that MRIs lead to fewer unnecessary biopsies due to “false alarms.”
Other technologies we offer:
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- Advanced breast imaging (ABUS)
- Breast tomosynthesis
- Contract dosimetry (Contract in Danville/employed in Martinsville)
- Contract physicists (Contract in Danville/employed in Martinsville)
- EBUS
- Full field digital mammography
- IMRT
- Molecular profiling - Basic
- Precision medicine lab
- SRS/SBRT
- Surgical robotics
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Locations
Sovah Cancer Center - Medical Oncology & Hematology
142 S. Main Street
Danville, Virginia 24541
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