Posted on 09/29/2003 5:40:40 PM PDT by yonif
Americans suffering from breast and prostate cancer should soon be benefitting from an Israeli detection technique that avoids the pain and risk associated with biopsies, reports the Weizmann Institute of Science, located in Rechovot. Thanks to the Israeli development, doctors will be able to distinguish between malignant tumors and benign lumps by scanning instead of cutting. The diagnostic imaging technique, called 3TP, has recently been approved for use by the US Food & Drug Administration and is slated for implementation as early as next year.
Prof. Hadassa Degani and her research group at the Institute developed the technique based on her research into the development of cancerous tumors. 3TP (Three Time Point) makes use of existing MRI scanners, and a safe contrast agent that is injected into the patient. The suspected tumor site is scanned by MRI repeatedly over a period of several minutes. The software developed for the method analyzes three of the MRI images, one before and two after the injection (hence the name 3TP), and then creates a colored likeness of the breast or prostate area based on the resulting data. A preponderance of red in the picture indicates malignancy, while mainly blue and green are signs of a benign growth.
This is so because blood flow in and out of the area of the tumor is usually accelerated, as tumor cells are distributed unevenly, with areas of densely packed cells that have tighter between-cell spaces than normal. The agent, which quickly passes through the blood, will enter and clear out of a cancerous tumor faster, and contrast agent escaping vessel walls (new blood vessels tend to leak) will be highlighted, along with the spaces between cells. By making calculations based on comparisons between the images, the software can assign a color to each tiny pixel making up the graphic image.
While others have come up with various methods of diagnosing cancer using MRI technology, Degani emphasizes that the 3TP technique is the only one that provides an accurate, standardized system that any clinician can easily use. The speed with which results can be obtained and the prevention of unnecessary biopsies will make it cost-effective as well. The procedure is likely to be used in the future to diagnose a variety of cancers and, while it is moving from the trial stages to clinical use on breast and prostate, research is starting on the lungs. In addition, more research will be done using 3TP scanning to track the response of tumors to anti-cancer therapies.
Governmental health clearance is now sought in Canada and Europe. 3TP LLC can be contacted at (1) 631-702-2400; JRM3TP@hamptons.com.
Yup. Even with all the constant terror, Israel continues to make advances for humanity. Most of the governments who make up humanity hate Israel.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/982919/posts
[/sarcasm]
</sarcasm>
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.