Advanced Colorectal Cancer Diagnostics with 3T MRI
The latest statistics from the American Cancer Society project 154,000 new cases of colorectal cancers will be detected in 2025, with 52,000 cases resulting in death. Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of death in patients under age 50. The American Cancer Society also lists prostate cancer as the most common cancer diagnosis among men, after skin cancer. With early detection and proper treatment, prostate cancer can be very treatable, and 3T MRI is an excellent screening tool used by many physicians and oncologists.
3T MRI is recommended over 1.5T for visualization of the prostate and colorectal area. Higher quality images are obtained providing colorectal surgeons and urologists with the detailed imaging needed for proper diagnosis. Benefits of 3T MRI are the ability to obtain images demonstrating miniscule slice thicknesses as low as 1mm to aid in diagnosis of difficult and complex cases.
MRI uses radio waves to produce detailed imaging, and there is no ionizing radiation exposure to the patient. The images investigate the cause of pain or swelling, examine lymph nodes and other large organ systems. MRI can aid in the diagnosis, location and the stage of cancer based on the spread of cancer to other organs.
The 3T MRI at Restorative Imaging is a wide bore which is larger and shorter, ideal for patients who struggle with claustrophobia. The cost is the same for a 1.5T MRI imaging procedure vs a 3T MRI imaging procedure. Patient time on the 3T scanner is sometimes less than a 1.5T MRI. The shorter time on the table minimizes the need for repeat sequences due to motion by the patient.