As technology changes, so does medical diagnosis
It’s here where modern imaging is coming into its own. For hard-to-find diseases like prostate cancer, MRI scans help ensure a correct diagnosis, explains Mercy Radiology’s Medical Director Dr Remy Lim, who specialises in interpreting prostate MRI scans. ‘‘It’s the only way you can have a really good look at the prostate itself and pick up lymph nodes and possible cancers.’’ Because of its hard-to-reach location, traditional prostate biopsies could miss certain areas and provide false reassurance. Previously, patients diagnosed with low grade cancer on biopsy who opted for ‘active surveillance’ had to rely on MRI to confirm no aggressive lesions had been missed. However, with the improvement of MRI, there’s a growing international trend to scan first. As Dr Lim notes, this gives the urologist a ‘‘roadmap’’ to find the cancer and can also potentially help patients avoid unneeded biopsies.
‘‘A landmark study in The Lancet (medical journal) last year estimates that 27 per cent of men could avoid having a biopsy altogether.’’ In more serious cases, it’s equally useful for getting a correct diagnosis. Dr Lim recalls one case where a patient was referred for an MRI and a potentially aggressive lesion was detected. A biopsy was performed with a normal result, but because of the worrying MRI result, they decided to perform a prostate cancer PET-CT scan.
For this patient, his PET-CT result confirmed the MRI. This meant a repeat biopsy was needed, from which the cancer was eventually confirmed. ‘‘If we had performed just a biopsy without the MRI, the cancer would have remained undiagnosed, would have grown and potentially killed the patient.’’ Because of its invaluable services, access to MRI is critical. To meet this need, Mercy Radiology recently installed a new MRI scanner in Silverdale, serving a growing community between Albany and Whangarei who would have previously had to travel far to get scanned. ‘‘Instead of getting people to come into the city, we wanted to have the technology come to them,’’ Dr Lim says. ‘‘It fits our ambition to ensure we’re focusing on what patients need.’’
See Mercy Radiology at Silverdale Medical Centre, 7 Polarity Rise.
Phone 0800 497297 or visit www.radiology.co.nz.
Poll: Are quality products on the decline?
Gift-giving looks a lot different these days when you can pick up super-cheap goods made overseas. But do they last?
Do you have any old items like appliances, electronics or clothing that have stood the test of time? Share below!
-
91.6% Yes
-
7.7% No
-
0.7% Other - I'll share below
Only the Sharpest Minds Will Get This Riddle… Are You One of Them?
I twinkle and glow, guiding paths in the snow.
I’m not the sun, moon, or star in the sky,
yet on rooftops and trees, you’ll see me up high.
What am I?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
HUGE FUNDRAISING GARAGE SALE !!! MAKE IT A DATE AND DON'T MISS OUT!!
SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER 8AM START
FORGET ME NOT ADULT DAY CENTRE (NEXT TO THE WHANGAREI FALLS) 110 Boundary Road , Tikipunga. LOADS OF XMAS PREZZIES, ETC,ETC !!
ENJOY A "COFFEE FOR KOHA " from "Paul's coffee trailer" with all donations to Forget-Me-Not.
Come grab a bargain and support your local charity !!
See you there !!
Loading…
