Provide access to proactive screening

There are several advantages that make MRI a superior choice for screening for tumors. Firstly, MRI doesn't use harmful radiation, unlike CT scans. This  means we can theoretically perform MRI scans as frequently as needed without increasing the patient's risk of radiation-induced health issues. MRI can differentiate between various types of soft tissues much more effectively than CT, which primarily relies on density differences. This enhanced contrast allows MRI to detect subtle changes in tissue composition that might indicate the presence of a tumor, even in its early stages.
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MRI's multiparametric capabilities provide a wealth of information about tissue characteristics. Different MRI sequences (e.g. T1-weighted, T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted imaging) can reveal various aspects of tissue properties, helping to characterize tumors more accurately. For instance, diffusion-weighted imaging can help distinguish between benign and malignant lesions based on the movement of water molecules within tissues.

MRI also excels in imaging certain body areas where CT has limitations. For example, MRI is particularly effective for detecting brain tumors due to its superior contrast in neural tissues.

However, it is important to note that low-dose chest CT remains the gold standard for lung cancer screening.

PET/CT combines functional imaging from PET with anatomical imaging from CT. The PET component, typically using FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose), detects areas of high metabolic activity often associated with cancer cells, while the CT provides detailed anatomical information. MRI, on the other hand, uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to provide detailed anatomical and functional information, offering excellent soft tissue contrast without using harmful radiation.

Radiation exposure is a key differentiator. PET/CT involves exposure to harmful radiation from both the radiotracer (FDG) and the CT component. A PET/CT scan exposes you to about 25 mSv of radiation, which is equal to about 8 years of average background radiation exposure. Since MRI does not use harmful radiation, it is the preferred imaging choice for screening.

FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) is a radioactive form of glucose (sugar). It's the most common tracer used in PET scans. Cancer cells often grow and divide rapidly, requiring more energy than normal cells. To fuel this growth, they typically consume more glucose. Before a PET/CT scan, the patient is injected with FDG, which circulates around the body and cells absorb it. Cancer cells absorb more FDG than surrounding tissues, making them appear as "bright spots" on the scan. The CT scan, performed in the same session, provides detailed anatomical images. This helps pinpoint the exact location of any hot spots seen on the PET scan.

Some cancers might be missed with PET/CT scans. Very small, early-stage tumors might not absorb enough FDG to stand out from the background activity. Certain types of cancer do not absorb FDG well, such as neuroendocrine tumors, making them less likely to be detected. While the CT part of PET/CT doesn't directly show metabolic activity, it can sometimes reveal structural abnormalities that might indicate cancer, even if the PET component doesn't show increased FDG uptake.

A radiologist, a physician specially trained in MRI and other radiology examinations, will review your images and create a detailed medical report. Our radiologists are fully licensed in the states they read in and are board-certified.

The answer to this question is that it really depends. We utilize a 1.5T MRI for all of our scans. For whole-body imaging, 1.5T is preferred relative to 3T for a multitude of reasons. Although a 3T may be generally preferred for dedicated brain or joint studies, 3T performs worse for whole-body scans due to increased wavelength interference and a greater number of imaging artifacts, which reduces the quality of images. 3T MRIs also increase body temperature 4x more than a 1.5T MRI, which reduces the number of images that can be acquired during the same amount of time. Therefore, 3T MRIs are typically better for single body part evaluations, whereas 1.5T MRIs are better suited for whole-body scans.

No. Our scan is intended to serve as an adjunct to, but not replace, other established evidence-based screening practices for early detection of specific malignancies, such as dedicated breast imaging, colonoscopy, Pap-smear screening, and low-dose chest CT for high-risk patients.