What is a PET/CT Scan?
In the fight against cancer, early detection is the best way to increase a patient’s chances of survival. There are two major components in the early detection of cancer:
In the fight against cancer, early detection is the best way to increase a patient’s chances of survival. There are two major components in the early detection of cancer:
Education
If people are taught to recognize the early warning signs of cancer, they will know what to do next. In fact, certain types of cancer may already be detected through a routine self-exam or when symptoms start developing. These include cancers of the breast, mouth, skin, prostate and testicles, and rectum.
Diagnosis and screening
To confirm whether a person has cancer or not, a doctor must be immediately consulted. Doctors will then conduct a series of tests that include the following:
<!-- [if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Physical examination - Your doctor will check your body for lumps or any abnormalities. The patient’s medical history will be reviewed as well.
<!-- [if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Laboratory tests - Tests on urine, stool and blood can identify abnormalities related to cancer.
<!-- [if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Biopsy - This is the most definitive way to determine if a person has cancer or not. Here, your doctor extracts cell samples from your body for testing in the laboratory.
<!-- [if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Imaging tests - Imaging tests help doctors monitor and check the status of the cancer in a non-invasive way. A doctor may recommend a bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),ultrasound, X-ray, computerized tomography (CT) scan and positron emission tomography (PET) scan.
Of all the imaging tests available today, the combination of a PET scan with a CT scan (PET/CT Scan) offers greater accuracy and more detailed information in locating and diagnosing cancers.
What is a PET/CT Scan?
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is an imaging test that allows your doctor to check for diseases in your body. It uses special radioactive containing substance (tracer) that is injected into a vein or accessible blood vessel in your arm or leg. PET creates an image that reflects the metabolic/biochemical activity of the body with the use of radioactive substance to demonstrate glucose biodistribution. Computed Tomography (CT) images are fused with the PET images to localize exactly the location of the abnormal tissues and organs.
A PET/CT scan takes around 2 hours to complete. It is typically an outpatient procedure so you can leave immediately after the test has been conducted.
How can The Medical City help you?
The Medical City is home to the most modern PET/CT imaging system that features advanced capabilities used for assessment of cancer tumor – such as staging of cancer to help doctors determine the most appropriate treatment option and re-staging to evaluate patient’s response to cancer treatment.
TMC’s team of experts from the Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Departments will collaborate simultaneously in the reading and reviewing of images to provide an accurate interpretation of the PET/CT Scan results. This will help improve individualized therapy planning and make cancer treatment more cost-effective.
True to its value proposition of patient partnership, at The Medical City, you can be assured of genuine and personalized care by medical experts you can trust. You will be involved in the decision-making every step of the way.
For more information, you may contact:
PET -CT Center
Tel No.: 9881000/9887000 ext 3143
Mobile: +63 916 628 6118
Article References:
https://www.healthline.com/health/pet-scan
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/pet-scan#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/pet-scan/multimedia/pet-plus-ct/img-20005900
https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-tests/p/pet-ct-scan/what-to-expect.html
https://www.allaboutcancer.fi/facts-about-cancer/detection/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20370594
Share
