"The software is capable of comparing previous measurements with new measurements," comments Vahid Yaghmai, amazed by syngo® CT Oncology. "It's a much faster way of comparing and analyzing data," states Yaghmai. The radiologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago has implemented the new software, which he describes as a secure, fast and accurate method of controlling the therapy results. syngo CT Oncology allows the automated comparison of datasets collected at different examination times by the computer tomography (CT). With the help of set algorithms for the segmentation of lesions in the CT images, the software calculates various tumor parameters, such as growth and burden, and then compares them with subsequent diagnostic findings. This way, it is possible to track the development of tumors in the lymph nodes, which is frequently the first stage of breast cancer metastasis. Through the automated segmentation, measurement and comparison of lesions, syngo CT Oncology offers a decisive advantage in oncology imaging when it comes to workflow improvement. 

"In a large oncology center, measuring lymph nodes in multiple dimensions and reporting on multiple lesions in every study is a very time-consuming process,"  says Yaghmai. "An automated way of measuring lesions would really improve workflow."

syngo TrueD, another Siemens new software package for the comparison and analysis of images acquired over a period of time, also offers these advantages. TrueD was developed for analyzing hybrid imaging proceeding from positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET·CT) or single photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT·CT). These hybrid systems are also considered reliable methods for noninvasive detection of lymph nodes metastasis on breast cancer patients. Tumors are no longer detected merely by appearance, but also through their metabolism.

syngo TrueD provides the ability to work with large amounts of data while simultaneously providing a comparison mode. Thanks to this powerful integrated combination method, it is possible to make more accurate and faster decisions in oncology during diagnosis, therapy and care. "The patient benefits at any rate from a precise calculation of response - after chemo- or radiotherapy, for example, by means of elimination of technical errors which could otherwise cause an inadequate treatment," affirms Andreas Wahl, MD, of the PET·CT Center in Hamburg, who implements syngo TrueD for diagnosis.