Willis-Knighton Cancer Center has become the first site in the United States to offer Philips MRCAT Pelvis, innovative technology that provides both soft tissue and density maps from a single MRI exam.  MRCAT (Magnetic Resonance for Calculating ATtenuation) eliminates the need for a secondary CT, giving doctors all the information they need to accurately and efficiently create a patient’s radiotherapy treatment plan.

For more than three years, Willis-Knighton Cancer Center has been using a dedicated MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) system for planning radiation therapy treatments. With greater capabilities to visualize organs and tissues, MRI simulation enhances the accuracy of therapy and provides additional safety for patients by reducing the need for additional imaging.

 “We are constantly striving to make our treatments safer,” says Lane R. Rosen, MD, director of radiation oncology.

Michael L. Durci, MD, radiation oncologist, acknowledges the benefits for a number of cancers located in the pelvis. “MRCAT pelvis brings additional confidence to our therapy planning process while giving us the ability to eliminate extra CT scanning in treatment planning for prostate, rectum, bladder, anus and cervix.”

“Philips is honored to partner with the cancer program at Willis-Knighton,” says Ardie Ermers, Philips general manager of radiation oncology. “We have the common strategy of reducing the burden of cancer. Innovative technologies like MRCAT Pelvis in radiation oncology will support Willis-Knighton to improve clinical outcomes and streamline workflows.”