Penza, 2 April 2015. PenzaNews. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner and a photodynamic therapy (PDT) machine installed in the Penza region oncology center has recently been configured for operation.

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The federal budget has spent about 60 million rubles for these devices as part of the program “Healthcare development in the Penza region in 2014-2020.”

An MRI scanner allows to create images of practically any body tissue, analyze the contents in any dimension, and produce a three-dimensional image to analyze the structures.

“The scanner may be used on soft tissue, nervous system, LMS and other body parts with great water content, but not on bones and lungs that have no water. The device is fully harmless,” explained Galina Burmistrova, head of radiology department of the Penza regional oncology center.

According to her, earlier they had to address the visitors to other institutions for such scans.

The photodynamic therapy machine is used for diagnosing and treating malignant tumors, said Andrei Mescheryakov, high-level certified endoscopist.

“PDT is used in very early stages, or in cases where surgery is impossible, and the patient already tried X-ray and chemo treatment,” he said.

He explained that a photodynamic therapy involves injecting a special phototoxic substance into the body that accumulates in the malignant tumor, which is then lit by a laser from the outside or using a light conductor to destroy cancer cells.

Andrei Mescheryakov added that a patient with a recurrent larynx tumor has been treated this way in mid-March, and the cancer cells in the body of the patient were fully annihilated.

“We are currently selecting the people to undergo PDT procedures,” the medical officer said.

Any citizen can request an appointment and examination in the oncology center from his area physician at the place of residence.