| Your physician has referred you for a PET/CT examination - a diagnostic procedure designed to reveal a wealth of information for you and your physician. Your physician will tell you as much as you would like to know about this important technology. This brochure will help answer some common questions about the PET/CT exam |
| What is PET/CT? |
 |
PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography. CT (also known as a CAT scan) stands for Computerized Axial
Tomography. The PET scan alone measures cellular uptake of radioactive glucose. Abnormal cellular uptake can be a sign of disease. The CT scan alone is the best way to view the internal structure of the body. The fusion of these two state-of-the art techniques acquired in one 30 minute session, creates a complete image that localizes abnormalities by CT, and can characterize a lesion as malignant without biopsy by PET. These capabilities can provide information that enables your physician to make an early diagnosis and possibly provide faster initiation of treatment, often avoiding invasive exams or exploratory surgery. |
| How will I know if I need a PET/CT scan? |
|
 Many circumstances may warrant having your doctor order a PET/CT scan • If there are questions about whether you have cancer • If you have already been diagnosed with cancer, a single whole-body PET/CT can search for the spread of the cancer throughout the body.
• If you are receiving treatment for cancer, PET/CT provides quick feedback on how your body is responding, and after treatment whether the cancer has returned. Today, PET/CT is giving new hope to patients as it helps their physicians make better, more informed decisions. A PET/CT not only helps your physician diagnose the problem, it also helps your physician choose between various therapeutic alternatives, pinpoint the best approach to treatment, and monitor your progress. If you are not responding as well as expected, you can be switched to a more effective therapy immediately. Just ask your physician what he or she hopes to learn from your PET/CT exam. |
| What can I expect once I get to MedScan? |
|
 At MedScan we regard your comfort and convenience as highly as the quality of service we provide. A patient liaison will greet you once you arrive and provide you with the personal attention needed to make your stay comfortable and pleasant.
After reviewing your history, you may be asked to drink approximately 24 ounces of a flavored oral contrast (barium) for the CT portion of the exam.
Shortly after you will be greeted by our technician or PA and you will receive a radiopharmaceutical injection for the PET portion of the test..
|
| What will the scan be like? |
|
| You will lie on a comfortable table that moves slowly through a ring-like PET/CT scanner. We will ask you to lie very still to get the best possible picture. The scan will be approximately 30 minutes and is completely non invasive. You should plan to spend two hours with us. |
| What will the scan be like? |
|
| You should plan to spend two hours with us. |
| What happens after the exam? |
|
You may leave as soon as the scan is complete. Help yourself to the many snacks and beverages provided. We recommend you drink lots of fluids to help flush any radiopharmaceutical that may still be in your system.
A radiologist will read your scan and the results will be sent to your doctor within 24 hours. |
| Are there any risks associated with PET/CT? |
|
| Expect your PET/CT to be safe and simple. Receiving a PET/CT is a safe and non-invasive procedure. A PET/CT study is similar to many other diagnostic procedures. The radiopharmaceuticals used in PET/CT have a short half life and do not remain in your system long, so there is no reason to avoid interacting with other people once you have left. To be extra safe, wait a few hours before getting too close to an infant, anyone who's pregnant or returning to your doctor's office. |
