MD Anderson Opens Diagnostic Imaging Center in West Houston

MD Anderson News Release August 11, 2014

Facility Brings Full Complement of Services, Onsite Radiologists Closer to Patients

MD Anderson News Release 08/11/14

Committed to bringing its cancer care services, clinical trials and standard of care closer to patients, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is opening a full-service diagnostic imaging center in West Houston on Sept. 2.

MD Anderson Diagnostic Imaging in West Houston occupies the first floor of a midrise building located at 15021 Katy Freeway, near the intersection of I-10 and Highway 6, and offers a full array of cancer imaging and lab services.  

The facility, which houses a separate women’s imaging center, is available to patients who have a confirmed diagnosis of cancer or whose primary care physician suspects cancer. Women who would like to have their screening mammograms performed and read at the new location may call directly to make an appointment.

MD Anderson Diagnostic Imaging Center in West Houston has the most advanced technologies available, some of which have software applications and hardware features not yet available elsewhere in Houston.  

General imaging services available at the center include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), general and Doppler ultrasound for diagnostics and biopsies, and digital X-ray.

Located in the women’s imaging center are ultrasound, 3-D digital breast tomosynthesis, ultrasound-guided biopsies and other technologies that will allow MD Anderson radiologists and staff to return a same-day diagnosis to women with concerning lumps or to their primary care physicians who referred them. Digital mammography for screening and diagnostics also is available.

MD Anderson radiologists will be on site to review and interpret all of the images, and also consult with physicians who referred their patients for tests. The radiologists all are MD Anderson faculty subspecialized and fellowship-trained in oncologic radiology. Because of new digital technologies, the MD Anderson radiologists in West Houston can securely share images with colleagues at the Texas Medical Center campus for additional opinions on especially rare or unusual cancers or tumors.

“The first step in identifying the right cancer treatment and achieving the best possible outcome is making the most accurate and precise diagnosis,” said Marshall Hicks, M.D., professor and head of the Division of Diagnostic Imaging at MD Anderson. “Quality imaging and expert reading are critical to properly diagnosing and staging cancer and monitoring how a patient is progressing with treatment.

“To bring this facility to patients, residents and physicians in West Houston and surrounding areas is a key part of our mission,” he continued. “We want our patients to be comfortable not only with the knowledge that they are getting the highest quality images read by MD Anderson radiologists, but we also want them to feel at home with our inviting, private and relaxed environment away from the bustling Texas Medical Center.”

Center Medical Director Monica Huang, M.D., who grew up in Alief, completed two years of specialized radiology training both in breast and full-body imaging beyond her five years of radiology residency training. She and a team of MD Anderson radiologists, imaging nurses, technologists and administrative employees will staff the new center that covers 35,000 square feet.

“Like our colleagues in the Texas Medical Center, we intend to give patients who come to the MD Anderson Diagnostic Center in West Houston the highest quality care. The circumstances surrounding imaging, whether diagnosing a cancer or determining if there is a recurrence, can be stressful,” said Huang. “Because we are MD Anderson, we understand these fears and are committed to minimizing them through prompt image interpretation and consultation with community physicians and open communication with each patient.”

Imaging for women’s cancers is located in an adjacent area with its own entrance and waiting and changing areas.  In addition to breast imaging services, the center provides pelvic ultrasound and MRI, and sonohysterography.

Also available at the center are lab and cytopathology services that provide information to detect and stage cancers. The cytology lab processes a variety of samples and offers immediate assessments, including results from fine needle biopsies performed on site.

MD Anderson Diagnostic Imaging in West Houston is available to all cancer patients, regardless of where they receive their treatment or where they may prefer to have treatment, if cancer is detected.

The center also is a complement to MD Anderson locations in Memorial City, Katy, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Bay Area and the Texas Medical Center that provide specialized cancer care and support services.