Family Physician: A Friend to Depend On

Posted on: 21 April 2016

If your doctor has referred you to have a PET scan, you may be wondering what this type of scan is, and how it is different than an MRI or CT scan. Undergoing all the different tests and procedures to determine what is wrong with you can be scary when you do not understand the purpose behind them. Here is a bit of information about Positron Emission Tomography, or what is commonly called a PET scan.

What is a PET Scan?

A PET scan is a type of diagnostic imaging test that traces a radioactive chemical the doctor puts in your body. You are then passed through a scanning machine, which follows the chemical to see where it goes and how your body interacts with it. The difference between a PET scan and a CT or MRI is that it can see what is going on at a cellular level whereas the others see things on an organ or tissue level. This is important because it allows the doctors to find problems sooner, making them easier to cure.

What Can a PET Scan Diagnose?

Of course, not all diseases can be diagnosed this way. However, some important ones can be seen as they are starting. The main uses for PET scans include many different types of cancers or tumors, heart diseases, and disorders in the brain. This is accomplished by watching and measuring things like blood flow, oxygen levels in the blood and organs, and how and where glucose is being used in your body.

Why is a PET Scan is an Important Part of Your Cancer Treatment?

One of the ways a doctor used a PET scan to diagnose cancer is by looking at the metabolism of glucose in your body. Cancer cells will metabolize glucose in the presense of the radioactive chemical much quicker than non-cancer cells. As the cells basically "eat" the chemical for the glucose, they will appear brighter on the monitor. This allows the doctor to pinpoint exactly where the cancerous cells are, and how big the tumor is. In addition, once you begin chemotherapy treatment to kill the cancerous cells, having regular PET scans will keep the doctor informed of how well the treatment is working. The doctor can make adjustments to the chemotherapy drugs based on what he or she sees on the scan.

A PET scan is relatively painless. However, since a radioactive chemical is being used, it is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. Your doctor will explain any preparations you need to do before the scan, depending on where the scan is being done and what is being looked for. The procedure is done as an outpatient test, so you will not be kept in the hospital before or after having the scan. Your doctor will get back with you as soon as he or she has the results to discuss what the next steps will be in our treatment. To find out more, speak with a business like SAH GLOBAL.