Siemens Ltd. installs Rajasthan’s first PET.CT scanner at Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research's latest report, fresh cases of cancer annually among men will increase from 4.47 lakh in 2008 to 5.34 lakh by 2020. Almost all types of cancers will see high prevalence in the country, where increasing incidences of cancer are already being observed in the state of Rajasthan. To address and control the cancer prevalence, Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital, Jaipur has collaborated with Siemens to install Biograph 16, the first Positron Emission Tomography (PET) CT scanner of the state.

Biograph 16 comes with the latest technology of Lutetium Oxyorthosilicate (LSO) crystals that provides faster scanning speed, which helps in detection of cancer at a very early stage, even before any physical evidence is noticed. Early detection of cancer further helps in faster and better treatment, thereby increasing the life expectancy of the patient. Biograph 16 comes with high definition PET (HD.PET) technology that provides high resolution images with superior contrast and clarity, which allows the physician to precisely visualize even the tiniest cancer lesion. It also has unique X-ray reduction feature, which helps in reducing radiation dose to the patient up to 68%.

On this occasion, Mr. D Ragavan, Executive Vice President, Siemens Healthcare said, "In India, cancer is the second largest killer after cardiac diseases. PET.CT scanners are an integral part in the treatment of cancer, which help physicians to stage the cancer properly, prior to the treatment and there is no other technology better than PET.CT to check the response to the treatment. Now with the first PET.CT with HD.PET technology in Rajasthan, cancer patients from this state need not travel long distances to get a PET.CT scan done. Siemens would like to congratulate Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital for taking this significant initiative."

Dr. Col. R.K. Chaturvedi, Executive Director of Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Jaipur said, “PET.CT is helpful not only for early diagnosis of cancer in the body, but also in knowing the response of treatment like chemotherapy, thereby reducing the cost and complication of the disease. It also helps in imaging the hibernating myocardium, thus quite a few cardiac patients will be benefitted with this technology.”

Biograph 16 also comes with a wider opening for easy, flexible patient positioning and enhanced patient comfort. The scanner incorporates the latest oncology management software, enabling oncologists to manage the disease more effectively. Besides cancer, Biograph 16 also has cardiac and neuro scanning capability.

Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 48,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2009 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 11.9 billion euros and profit of around 1.5 billion euros. For further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.