Imaging is one of the most crucial aspects of cancer care, as the results obtained from various imaging tests help specialists make informed clinical decisions.
The radiology and imaging department at HCG houses state-of-the-art imaging equipment and a large team of skilled radiologists to provide superior diagnostic support to our patients.
The unit has all major imaging technologies, namely PET-CT (Analogue/Digital), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Digital Mammography, etc., which help detect suspicious lesions with relatively better accuracy than their historical counterparts. Along with these tests, the department also facilitates other imaging tests, namely X-ray, ultrasound scan, endoscopy, etc. The results obtained from these tests, along with the results obtained from other analyses, such as biopsy, blood tests, etc., help our cancer specialists arrive at a definitive diagnosis.
The automated Breast Volume Scanner (ABVS) helps in early breast cancer detection. ABVS is designed specifically to detect breast cancer in patients with dense tissues. ABVS is the world’s first multi-use ultrasound system that automatically acquires complete, high-resolution images of the breasts in just 10 minutes. Early detection through ABVS increases the chances of a positive clinical outcome among breast cancer patients.
Digital mammography is a safe and accurate imaging test recommended for breast cancer detection. It uses the same technique as film mammography, except that the image is recorded directly onto a computer. The image captured on the computer can then be enlarged or highlighted for proper analysis.
The biggest advantage of digital mammography is the accurate diagnosis, even in patients with dense breast tissues.
PET-CT combines PET scan with CT scan for better imaging. During a PET scan, a radioactive isotope is injected into the body to study the molecular activity of the body cells. CT scan, on the other hand, takes a series of X-ray images of the internal structures. Images obtained from these scans are then put together to create a 3-dimensional picture.
PET-CT scans are necessary for cancer diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, monitoring, and evaluating cancer recurrence. Another variant of the conventional PET-CT is the digital PET-CT, wherein the scanning duration and dosage of the radioactive isotope are reduced to a large degree.
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, generates exceptionally detailed images of organs, such as the brain, spine, prostate, uterus, and liver. This allows the specialists to differentiate between benign and potentially hazardous masses. This high-resolution imaging may also help detect cancers, even before they start showing symptoms.
Interventional radiology is a sub-speciality of the radiology discipline that utilises image-guided, minimally invasive procedures to diagnose, treat and manage cancer and various other health disorders. These procedures help reduce the risk of treatment-related complications and allow patients to recover at a faster rate.
Interventional radiology is both a diagnostic and therapeutic speciality that includes a wide range of image-guided minimally invasive treatment procedures and invasive imaging techniques. Some of the key interventional radiology procedures include chemoembolisation, radioembolisation, radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, etc. Most of these procedures do not require an overnight stay.
These procedures are often combined with other treatment approaches to enhance the overall effectiveness of the treatment administered.