Cancer Imaging Services

• Each image receives a same-day interpretation.
• Images are reviewed by world-class radiologists specialized by anatomy.
• Image acquisition time is not rushed, resulting in extremely detailed images.
• Highest resolution scanners available, including:
  • 64-slice PET/CT, which fuses PET and CT images for a more comprehensive anatomic and metabolic visualization of disease sites throughout the body.
  • 64-slice CT scanners, with the latest generation of CT technology and specialized software, for virtual colonoscopy and other state-of-the-art procedures.
• Unique PET/CT protocol, which includes the use of diagnostic quality contrast-enhanced CT to produce more useful CT images.
• Every PET/CT includes additional advanced reconstruction of the chest CT images, which allows for the early detection of tiny pulmonary nodules.

• Imaging of rare cancers is performed daily.
• Internationally-regarded leaders in radiology perform all procedures and image interpretation.
  • Radiologists have specialized and focused experience in looking at and treating tertiary level disease.
  • Knowledge of the full range of imaging techniques enables radiologists to recommend the correct study if additional information or characterization is needed to confirm a diagnosis or guide treatment.
• Nuclear medicine technologists have extensive experience in PET/CT and SPECT and are all dual licensed in both computed tomography and comprehensive nuclear medicine diagnostic and therapeutic services.

• Fusing images from CT and PET scans results in a more comprehensive anatomic and metabolic visualization of disease sites throughout the body.
• Higher sensitivity and rapid reconstruction algorithms of PET/CT make dynamic or gated acquisitions possible.
• Advanced reconstruction algorithms for SPECT/CT deliver state of the art image quality.

Newest technology may be accessed before it becomes available to the general public.

• Magnetic resonance (MR) neurography, an advanced technique that is useful for diagnosing disorders of the peripheral nerves beyond the spinal canal.
• Diagnosis of brain tumors with CT and MRI angiograms, CT and radiographic myelograms, and MRI spectroscopy as well as PET/CT for differentiation of post-radiation changes vs. tumor recurrence.
• Diagnosis of spinal cord tumors with MRI, CT, PET/CT, EEG, spinal taps or biopsies.

UCSF is a tertiary care center and has the largest brain tumor center in Northern California.

• PET/CT including diagnostic quality CT with intravenous contrast for initial staging of metastatic disease as well as restaging and monitoring response to treatment.
  • When indicated, a brain MRI can be performed the same day.
• Cardiac Wall Motion Study – ERNA (MUGA) to monitor for potential cardiotoxicity of chemotherapies commonly used to treat breast cancers.
• Bone Scan with SPECT/CT.
  • Hybrid imaging often provides higher diagnostic accuracy and specificity than traditional planar bone scans alone, as it often enables the radiologist to differentiate bone metastases from degenerative changes.

UCSF is one of the few centers in California to offer CT colonography (Virtual Colonscopy) for colon cancer screening.

• Radioiodine scans for thyroid cancer.
• Parathyroid SPECT/CT.

During PET/CT scans, multiphase CT images of the liver can be obtained as part of the same acquisition, allowing for multiphase evaluation of liver lesions that may otherwise be non-specific on contrast or non-contrast CT alone.

• Lung Cancer Screening Program to qualified high-risk patients
• CT-guided biopsy, thoracentesis, MRI.
• SPECT/CT Octreoscan for carcinoid tumors with CT for anatomic correlation.
• Bone Scan with SPECT/CT.

During PET/CT, scans multiphase CT images of the pancreas can be obtained as part of the same acquisition.