Texas Breast Specialists expands breast cancer treatment services

Texas Breast Specialists, part of Texas Oncology, has expanded its breast cancer treatment services in Dallas, McKinney, Bedford, Carrollton, and Plano, Texas to include the mobile Naviscan PEM scanner. PEM (Positron Emission Mammography) scanners are high-resolution breast PET systems that show the location as well as the metabolic phase of a lesion.  The metabolic view allows physicians to enhance their cancer care decision by providing an unprecedented ability to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions, what researchers term "specificity."

Texas Breast Specialists and Texas Oncology, affiliates of the United Network of US Oncology, are committed to delivering high-quality cancer care with leading-edge technology and advanced treatment and therapy options that help patients achieve better outcomes. US Oncology, which supports the nation's largest community-based cancer treatment and research network, continuously helps its affiliated practices invest in innovative technologies that improve the quality of care for patients.  "We are excited to bring this level of technology to the community," said Dr. Lynn Canavan, a breast surgeon with Texas Breast Specialists in McKinney and Plano, Texas. "The level of specificity provided by PEM enhances the services we provide to our patients."

Results from an NIH-sponsored clinical study [NIH Grant 5R44CA103102], presented today at the 2010 Radiological Society of North America, comparing PEM and breast MRI demonstrate PEM's clinical appropriateness.  The multi-site study of hundreds of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer shows that PEM demonstrated comparably high sensitivity but a six percent improvement in specificity, ability to differentiate between malignant and benign lesions, suggesting that PEM may reduce unnecessary biopsies. These results are particularly significant for women who cannot tolerate an MRI exam and require an alternate imaging tool. The study is slated for publication in the January issue of the journal Radiology and already available online.

"Naviscan is extremely excited to be developing a relationship with US Oncology and its affiliated practices," said Paul J. Mirabella, Chairman and CEO, Naviscan, Inc. “US Oncology and its Texas Oncology partners have led the market in innovative approaches to the management and treatment of breast cancer. Because of the unique characteristics of our leadership in tomographic Molecular Breast Imaging technology, physicians in this network will now be able to make the best possible surgical decisions and the Medical Oncologists will be able to see the impact of chemotherapy treatment after one application of therapy. This will provide the best and most cost effective course of treatment for patients, providers and payors.”