A Stanford image combining positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) scans of a patient with lung cancer
Program researchers are pursuing a number of avenues for improving and expanding upon existing cancer imaging instrumentation. Among their many aims, they are developing new handheld instruments for imaging during surgery and new methods for assessing intracellular activity with greater detail.
Researchers are also working on strategies to merge anatomical (CT) and molecular (PET, etc.) imaging data to achieve a more refined, 3-D view of a tumor’s location and activity.
Preliminary findings show that in some instances, placing biochemical patient data within a detailed, 3-D representation of the patient’s anatomy offers significant advantages over standard 2-D PET/CT imaging during pre-procedural or pre-surgical planning. This work is carried out in collaboration with the 3D Medical Imaging Lab and the Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS).
Scientific Goals
Developing practical pre-clinical and clinical instrumentation that will have enhanced sensitivity/resolution for improved cancer imaging
Development of intra-operative imaging strategies for cancer treatment
Development of novel methods to marry anatomical and molecular imaging