Naviscan's PEM Flex™ Detects Smallest Cancers Better Compared To MRI In An Independent Study

Main Category: Medical Devices
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  MRI / PET / Ultrasound;  Radiology / Nuclear Medicine
Article Date: 18 Jun 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Naviscan PET Systems®, a company specializing in organ specific high resolution PET scanners, announced today at the Society of Nuclear Medicine - new clinical data using the PEM Flex scanner in breast cancer management. The PEM Flex™ Solo II is a commercially available, FDA cleared scanner that utilizes PET technology for the breast application known as positron emission mammography, PEM.

Results presented from an independent study of 136 patients comparing the accuracy of PEM and MRI in the pre-surgical planning of breast cancer patients indicated the PEM technology is more sensitive than MRI in detecting the smallest cancers. PEM demonstrated 91% sensitivity in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) compared to 83% with MRI and better sensitivity in cancers less than 5 millimeters in size. PEM also detected a 2 millimeter DCIS case shown to be negative on MRI.

"In our research, PEM accurately detected and characterized the smallest and most difficult to see cancers - specifically DCIS which is often impossible to see with other imaging modalities", said Kathy Schilling, M.D and medical director of the Center for Breast Care in Boca Raton, Florida who has been studying PEM for more than two years. "The ability to image and diagnose these early stage cancers provides the potential for cure and will significantly impact breast cancer management." Dr. Schilling has been using the PEM Flex scanner in her practice as a tool for evaluating additional and unsuspected disease in the breast and compares these findings with that of MRI. She is also a site principal investigator in a 400 patient, multi-center clinical trial comparing PEM and MRI in breast cancer patients to be completed in 2008.

About Naviscan PET Systems, Inc.

Naviscan PET Systems®, founded in 1995, develops and markets compact, high-resolution PET scanners intended to provide organ-specific molecular imaging, guide radiological and surgical procedures and advance new clinical therapies. The PEM Flex™ Solo II, is currently installed and available in breast centers and imaging centers throughout the U.S. PEM Flex is also utilized in clinical research studies, funded in part by the National Institutes of Health. The Company is headquartered in San Diego, California and is the first company to obtain FDA clearance of a high-resolution PET scanner designed to image small body parts. For more information, visit http://www.naviscanpet.com

Source:
Sherri Antoniak
http://www.naviscanpet.com