One whole-body MRI could replace multiple cancer scans

Two studies published in Lancet Respiratory Medicine and Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology show that for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer, one whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) scan can work just as well as multiple scans, offering a quicker, cheaper alternative, preferred by patients and involving less exposure to radiation. The average cost of a WB-MRI scan for NSCLC patients was £317, half the £620 cost for multiple scans and the cost of a WB-MRI scan for colorectal patients was £216, compared with £285 for multiple scans. The two ‘Streamline’ studies – the biggest of their kind to compare WB-MRI with standard scans – found that for both cancers, using one WB-MRI scan removed the need for additional scans for nearly all patients, and reduced the average time taken to assess patients by almost a week.

Source: www.pharmatimes.com