Types of Diagnostic Centers

The purpose of diagnostic centers is to detect harmful health conditions that may exist within the human body. Some problems, such as certain types of cancers, liver problems, kidney stones, gallstones and certain other maladies can only be detected through diagnostic imaging. Diagnostic centers commonly do DNA testing and MRI imaging on a regular basis. Some diagnostic services are provided through the use of mobile systems like the Mammovan, which screens for breast cancer.

Primary Immunodeficiency Diagnostic Center

• With the help of The Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF), the Cincinnati Children's Hospital opened a new diagnostic center in October, 2009. The diagnostic center's focus is on children's Primary Immunodeficiencies. It is one of only 31 previously existing centers like this in the United States. The purpose of the diagnostic center is to help children who may be suffering from any of the more than 150 diseases which are caused by improper immune system function. Primary Immunodeficiency disorder should be considered when children have recurring problems like sinus and/or ear infections or bronchitis. These problems can lead to damage to internal organs, serious chronic illnesses later in life, and even death. The drug company Baxter International, Inc., sponsors the center and is the manufacturer of treatments for Primary Immunodeficiencies.

Sleep Diagnostic Center

• Nearly 70-million Americans suffer from sleep disorders of one kind or another. Insomnia is the primary reason that more than 30-million Americans do not get sufficient amounts to sleep. Snoring affects up to 40% of American adults, middle-aged or older. Another common sleep disorder is sleep-apnea, affecting more than 6-million people. Fortunately, some of the problems that are associated with sleep-apnea can be reversed. Sleep-apnea is common among individuals who suffer from heart disease, hypertension or depression, and for people who may be obese, or those who are suffering from stress. Sleep diagnostic centers were established to diagnose the causes for sleep problems and offer treatments.

Cancer Diagnostic Centers

• The Center for Disease Control reported that in 2007, more than 29,000 men died from prostate cancer. Robert Bendheim, along with John and Maxine Bendheim, established the Prostate Cancer Diagnostic Center to provide men with a comprehensive evaluation of their PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels. As part of their routine physical exam, a PSA test is given. The detection of PSA levels that are higher than normal could indicate an enlargement of the prostate or a non--cancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. Even with normal PSA levels, prostate cancer may still be present. Through these diagnostics, researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering hope to be able to find additional factors that will determine cancer risk.

Full-Spectrum Diagnostics

• Most diagnostic centers do more than one type of testing. Quest is one of the leaders in diagnostic testing in the country. Some of Quest's services include PAP-smear testing, biopsies and gene testing. In the area of diseases and disorders, Quest Diagnostics does screenings for birth defects and inherited disorders, cancer, blood disorders, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, endocrine system disorders, and toxicology tests. Quest Diagnostics is the leader in molecular, cytogenetics and biochemical genetics. Quest is able to test for new strains of tuberculosis and other pathogens.