Roper St. Francis Cancer Center uses the latest procedures and technological advances for diagnosis of cancer. In addition to standard diagnostic tests, including mammography, CT scanning and MRI, we offer:
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan/CT
The PET Imaging Center offers the only fixed-site PET scanner in Charleston. PET is a remarkable diagnostic technology that produces images of the bodyıs biological functions and metabolism in 3-D and tomographic format. PET scans are used to diagnose and determine the extent of cancer involvement.
Stereotactic Biopsy
Using a computer to map the location of the mass to be examined, stereotactic biopsy allows for more accurate placement of the biopsy needle, reducing the associated risks of surgical intervention. In the past, breast cancers detected by mammography required an open surgical excision to determine whether the tumor was malignant or benign. Stereotactic biopsy now makes this a minimally invasive procedure.
Sentinel Node Biopsy
Our doctors offer a minimally invasive surgical
procedure, known as sentinel node biopsy,
to stage breast cancer and melanoma. The
sentinel node is the lymph node where cancer
cells from a tumor would travel first. In
this procedure, surgeons need to remove
only this node for examination. If this
lymph node is cancer free, the remaining
nodes can be left intact, and the surgery
to remove the tumor is completed. If the
sentinel node contains cancer cells, the
remaining nodes are usually removed and
analyzed. Removing fewer lymph nodes speeds
recovery and avoids the risk of arm swelling
associated with lymph node removal.
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