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follow-up. Although PET/CT technology is not new, this particular system is highly advanced with optimized image quality, speed and sensitivity, enabling lower- dose radiation. And with its 85 cm bore diameter for both PET and CT, there's greater flexibility in patient position- ing and use of immobilization devices which improves treatment accuracy. A special tumor tracking application allows automatic segmentation and monitoring of tumor progression before, during, and after therapy. "This is one of two new PET/CT systems we've installed at UH Seidman Cancer Center," says Dr. Ros. "We also have a brand new state-of-the art dual-source CT, the Siemens SOMATOM Defi nition Flash, which is extremely fast. It can scan the entire chest in less than 1 second, so patients aren't required to hold their breath during the scan, and it uses 80% less radiation dose than other CT units." The CT system's two X-ray tubes have different energies that simultaneously revolve around the patient's body, better detecting cancer in different organs. Special programs also enable radiologists to see the perfusion or the vascularity of organs and predict the response of the tumor to treatment. "We can see the vascularity and the perfusion of the tumor so well that after a few sessions of radiation or a few doses of chemo we can predict the effectiveness of the entire treatment," says Dr. Ros. "We don't have to wait for the entire six-weeks course of radiation therapy, for example, to determine if the radiation therapy is effective. This enables us to modify the treatment plan one way or another." He explains that UH Seidman Cancer Center's "very well-oiled team of oncologi- cal radiologists" is highly experienced at identifying cancer, so they are not only experts at diagnosing but also at staging and re-staging. And because they work together in the same physical location in integrated teams with other specialists — medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation therapists, etc. — focusing on the same disease and potential solutions, cure rates and quality of life are improved. "We have extraordinary radiologists, and we have extraordinary imaging technology. And our patients benefit from both," says Dr. Ros. "Everything that's state-of-the-art is here at UH Seidman Cancer Center." s Look closely to fi nd two gantry openings: one for the PET and the other for the MRI in this PET/MRI system. UH Seidman is the only clinical setting in the nation with PET/MRI technology. MDNEWS.COM SPECIAL ISSUE, FALL 2011 MD NEWS Cleveland-Akron-Canton | 15