In a bid to offer early and faster cancer detection, Mumbai-based Jaslok Hospital has acquired the latest GE Discovery STE PET/CT system to their range of world-class imaging systems. The Discovery STE is a new molecular imaging system designed to help doctors detect, diagnose and monitor treatment of cancer and other diseases, including heart disease and neurological disease, more accurately and earlier in the disease process. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, president of India on December 23, 2006, will inaugurate the new system.

The Discovery STE is a fusion of the high-speed, high-resolution capabilities of GE's computed tomography (CT) scanner with the metabolic and physiologic capabilities of its industry leading positron emission tomography (PET) scanner. By combining these two scanning technologies, a PET/CT scan enables physicians to more accurately diagnose and identify cancer, heart disease and brain disorders.

Its powerful processing and acquisition capabilities make Discovery STE the ideal system for growing procedure demands in neurology and cardiology, without sacrificing the requirements of a premier oncology system.

"With the new Discovery STE PET/CT system, we are increasing the opportunity of an earlier diagnosis for our patients," said Dr Vikram Lele, Chief, Nuclear Medicine, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai. "In many cases disease can be successfully treated if doctors can detect and intervene early. And for patients who've successfully battled cancer, the trick is keeping it at bay".

"Today's emerging applications may become tomorrow's standard of care. The new Discovery STE system provides us the opportunity to ensure an excellent examination for any patient that enters our facility, regardless of their clinical imaging need," said Col. M Masand, director general, Jaslok Hospital.

"Time is critical for cancer patients as cells multiply and spread. With continuing developments in molecular-targeted cancer therapies, molecular imaging systems are the wave of the future for medical imaging. PET/CT imaging system could become the "first line of defense" in optimisation of treatment for cancer patients," said V Raja, President and CEO, GE Healthcare South Asia and managing director, Wipro GE Healthcare.

GE was the first to commercially introduce PET/CT imaging in 2001, an advanced technology that integrates a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) system with a Computed Tomography (CT) system. To date, more than 800 GE Discovery PET/CT systems have been installed at medical facilities worldwide. GE has invested more than $160 million and created innovations covered by more than 25 patents in the development of this technology. The company first began its work combining images with the development of the GE Millennium VG Hawkeye in 1999 and then launched the first commercially available PET/CT, Discovery LS, in 2001.

At the heart of the Discovery STE is the revolutionary Discovery Dimension Console, fully integrated to optimise PET/CT workflow. It enables clinicians to acquire radiology prescription diagnostic IV Contrast CT images during the PET/CT study, so that patients are subjected to fewer exams and less dose, The CT X-ray dose can result in up to 40 per cent less dose. It completes a static image and 4D motion study in one acquisition, eliminating the need for multiple studies. It performs advanced image reconstruction techniques of 2D and 3D for excellent image quality on every patient exam. It allows viewing of reconstructed 2D and 3D images during the exam.