Improving Treatment Of A Common Cancer (NAPSA)—An estimated 185,400 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancerthis year, impacting as many women as men. Fortunately, a new technology is improving how doctors visualize and follow treatmentof colorectal cancer and dramatically easing colon examsfor patients. This is crucial because colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States—more than 57,000 will die from it this year. However, it is 90 percent treatable if the pre-cancerous polyps are found and removed early. Since colon cancer is preventable, everyone over 50 should be examined for the disease. Called syngo Colonography, the new technology cleared for the U.S. market, makes it possible to perform non-invasive colonography using advanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR), potentially reducing the need for invasive methods. syngo Colonography mayfacilitate the detection of lesions (e.g., polyps) and the evaluation, documentation and follow-up of these lesions. Doctors say the benefits of CT scanning for colon cancer are very real, but many patients are put off by all the poking and prodding associated with a traditional colonoscopy. The CT technology used in the new exam is non-invasive, widely available and often a more appealing option for patients. “CT is a very quick and easy exam. At most, it’s 10 to 15 minutes on a scanner,” adds Bappa Choudhury of Siemens Medical Solutions, which developed the E \ Fil iF, Thanksto a non-invasive procedure, more people are getting examined for colon cancer. colonographytechnology. “Because its so much shorter and easier for the patient to have this exam,it’s very attractive.” Theprocedureis also attractive to doctors who can manipulate a 3D representation of the colon and rectum, and use fly-through technology to view the inside of the organs and stop at anything that looks suspicious. In addition, the system allows medical personnel to document where different structures are in relation to the patient’s body. “So what we are able to do is look at things like lesions, normal tissues and the abnormaltissues,” concludes Choudhury, “and then better differentiate between these.” Ultimately, CT and MR scans will help detect colorectal cancer in its early stages, helping to improve patients’ lives. To learn more, visit the Web site at www.siemensmedical.com.
