PET/CT

The PET/CT scan is very important for cancer care. It is used to find cancer when it first starts, look for hidden cancer that has come back, and check if a patient’s treatment is working. It can see changes in the body’s energy use before doctors can see physical changes. Besides cancer, the scan helps heart doctors check the health of the heart muscle and helps brain doctors figure out different brain problems like memory loss and seizures. Because the PET/CT shows both how the body works and what it looks like inside, doctors can plan treatment more exactly. This may mean fewer uncomfortable or difficult procedures are needed.

Information Needed for Your Scan

The doctor’s office sending you for the scan must give us a lot of important health information. This is needed so the scan is done correctly and so your insurance will cover it. The office has to give us your height, weight, and a complete history of any recent treatments you’ve had, such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. These details can change how the tracer medicine spreads in your body.

Getting Ready and What to Expect

Getting ready for the scan is the most important step to make sure the images come out clearly. You must not eat anything for at least four to six hours before your appointment. You can only drink plain water. This keeps your blood sugar low, which is necessary for the test. You should also avoid heavy exercise for 24 hours before the scan. This stops the medicine from going into your muscles, which could hide the problem we are looking for. If you have diabetes, your blood sugar must be carefully controlled, and we will check on the day of the exam to make sure it is below 200 mg/dL. On the day of the exam, you will get an injection of tracer medicine. You will then rest quietly for 45 to 60 minutes while your body takes up the medicine. After that, the scan itself takes 15 to 45 minutes. The results are usually sent to your doctor within one to two days.