HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., May 31, 2006 -- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is now the world's largest installation of Symbia(R) SPECT-CT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography-Computed Tomography) and SPECT technology from Siemens Medical Solutions. M. D. Anderson is examining patients with five Siemens Symbia T6 systems with TruePoint(TM) SPECT-CT technology, as well as four Siemens Symbia S SPECT-only systems, which can be upgraded to SPECT-CT. All seven systems were installed in M. D. Anderson's 780,000 square-foot Ambulatory Clinical Building, a freestanding outpatient treatment center that opened in January 2005.

Nearly 150 Symbia S and T systems have been sold to date. The hybrid SPECT-CT systems feature advanced SPECT technology that detects changes in patients' molecular activity - before structural changes become visible - and combine this information with precise anatomical detail obtained through six-slice CT technology to pinpoint the location of abnormal tissue. Enhanced imaging clarity provided by the SPECT-CT systems helps physicians make earlier, more accurate diagnoses.

"The power of SPECT-CT is not only in acquiring the two exams in one setting, but in improving the interpretation of both studies," said Homer A. Macapinlac, M.D., deputy chairman, Department of Nuclear Medicine, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. "It is helping us make diagnoses with greater accuracy and confidence, while providing information that enables physicians to target therapies with precision and closely monitor the effectiveness of treatments."

One particular application of Symbia SPECT-CT systems utilized by physicians at M. D. Anderson has been bone imaging. The combination of diagnostic specificity and image clarity enables physicians to differentiate malignant and benign bone abnormalities that would have been indeterminate with either SPECT or CT screenings alone. The SPECT-CT systems also provide enhanced clarity to help physicians accurately detect and diagnose bone lesions in large skeletal regions and even the entire skeleton. SPECT-CT is also utilized at M. D. Anderson for patients with cancers such as prostate, thyroid, parathyroid and neuroblastoma.

"Siemens TruePoint SPECT-CT technology was developed with the clinical challenges of our customers in mind, and the initial response at M. D. Anderson shows the potential of integrating this leading-edge technology into clinical practice," said Michael Reitermann, president, Molecular Imaging Division, Siemens Medical Solutions. "The further application of our TruePoint SPECT-CT technology will provide physicians with more opportunities to utilize the powerful combination of functional and anatomical detail to improve diagnostic accuracy, and ultimately advance patient care."

One of the key advantages of SPECT-CT, Macapinlac added, is the ability to use a multitude of FDA-approved tracers to target various tumors, which enables physicians to measure the extent of a particular cancer. Physicians are able to identify tumors at their source and detect metastatic disease - sometimes too small to see otherwise - that has spread to other parts of the body. The precise anatomic localization of cancers and infections that the SPECT-CT systems provide enable physicians to enhance therapy planning for individual patients and accurately assess treatment. In addition, acquiring multiple studies in one SPECT-CT procedure streamlines workflow, speeds exam time and increases comfort and convenience for patients.

Integration with M. D. Anderson's picture archiving and communication system (PACS) allows the images produced by the SPECT-CT system to be effectively utilized by physicians, guiding them in providing treatments such as surgery, and allowing comparison of images to prior exams.

"At M. D. Anderson our aim is not to provide the best technology, but to provide the best patient care," said Macapinlac. "Cancer patients are special in their need for information. They are anxious about their diagnosis. They need to know if they have cancer or not, the extent of their cancer and if their treatments are working. Hybrid imaging provides more precise information that enables us to answer these questions with greater certainty for our patients."

Siemens provides M. D. Anderson with a range of additional diagnostic and therapeutic solutions, including interventional angiography, digital radiology, CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This technology is supported by Siemens Service Organization and Accessories Solutions Group to ensure M. D. Anderson maximizes its technology and return on investment. In January 2006, Siemens and M. D. Anderson signed a 10-year Integrated Service Management agreement that covers not only Siemens technology, but other multi-vendor technologies as well. Through the agreement, Siemens manages all service related issues, coordinates vendors, and implements new processes to fit M. D. Anderson's needs.

Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG [SI] with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 33,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.6 billion EUR, orders of 8.6 billion EUR and group profit of 976 million EUR for fiscal 2005. More information can be obtained by visiting www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom.