PET scan stands for positron emission tomography. PET scan is capable of detecting diseases in early stages and before other imaging tests. It uses radioactive materials called radiotracers.
PET-CT scan combines a CT scan and a PET scan. It gives detailed information about your cancer. CT scan takes a series of X Ray from all around your body and puts images together to create a 3-D picture.
PET scan uses mild radioactive liquid known as tracer to show up areas of your body where cells are more active than normal.
PET-CT scan usually takes between 30-60 minutes.
Why Is PET-CT Scan Used?
PET CT scans can help to–
- Diagnose cancer
- Check whether your cancer has come back
- Plan radiotherapy and other treatments
- Decide which is the best treatment for your cancer
- Decide whether you can have surgery to remove your cancer
- Find out how big a cancer is and whether it has spread (stage a cancer)
- PET-CT scan also show how well a cancer treatment is working
- To check whether some cancer is till left after the surgery.
- PET-CT scan can show whether the tissue is active acncer or not
Difference Between PET-CT and CT Scan?
CT scan shows detailed pictures of the organs and tissues inside of your body. A PET scan can find abnormal activity and it can be more sensitive than other imaging tests. It may also ashow changes to your body sooner. Doctors use PET-CT scans to provide more information about the cancer. It can help the doctor to-
- Find the right place for a biopsy
- Learn if your cancer treatmnet is working
- Check for new cancer growth after treatment has ended
- Plan radiotherapy
How Does a PET-CT Scan Work?
You usually are injected with a small amount of a radioactive sugar called fluorodeoxyglucose-18 (FDG)/ F-18. The cells in the body absorb the sugar/tracer, the areas that use more energy use more sugar, the cancer cells use more energy than normal cells hence take up more sugar. PET scan shows the areas where the substance/tracer is absorbed.
The CT scan takes X-Ray from different angles of your body. You might get a shot od dye before the X-Ray. This helps some of the details show up better.
Possible Risk
A PET-CT scan is safe test for most people. But like all medical tests it has some risks. Your doctor and radiographer make sure the benefits of having the tst outweigh these risks.
Some are–
- pregnancy
Pregnant women are usually not recommended for an PET CTÂ unless it is an emergency. There is a risk that the radiation could harm the developing baby. you should consult your doctor prior
- Radiation
Radiations involved in the procedure are usually in the safe range but if it still bothers you, you can talk to the doctor
- breastfeeding
You will be guided to not feed your baby until the radioactive tracer has been washed from your body, and to store the milk for 1-2 feeds prior only.
- Bruising and swelling
You might get a small bruise around the area where they put the needle in. there is a risk that the tracer leaks outside the vein, which can cause swelling and pain in your arm, but its very rare.
- Allergic reaction-
Some people might have allergic reaction to the tracer. Which most oten starts with weakness, sweating and difficulty breathing. Tell your care provider immediatelyif you feel unwell
Summary
There are many advanced diagnostic tools including, MRI, CT, CBC, PET etc. one them most efficient is PET CT scans. Many diagnostics centers these days have good PET CT scan machines. Different PET CT scan diagnostic centers offer different cost for the scan, one of them is Ganesh Diagnostic and imaging center that offers Best PET-CT scan prices in delhi having many branches across delhi.
