Frequently Asked Questions About PET/CT
1) What is PET/CT?
2) Are there alternatives to PET?
3) Is a PET scan painless?
4) Why is PET not well known? Why have I never heard of PET before?
5) What will happen when I arrive?
6) What will happen next?
7) How long will I be here/How will I feel afterward?
8) How do I prepare for PET/CT?
What is PET/CT?
PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography. This scan will produce images of the human body's biological functions. A CT is an x-ray that produces a detailed view of organs and tissues in the body. When the two scans are combined the result is powerful images that are merged together and will allow more accurate interpretation of the PET metabolic findings. This technology is the best scanning tool to aide in the diagnosis and treatment of most types of cancer.
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Are there alternatives to PET?
Yes and no. There are other exams that can be performed. However, there is no other metabolic (biological) scanning technique other than PET at this time. CT and MRI, for example, both examine the anatomical (physical) structure. Therefore, they can be useful in determining the size and location of a tumor; but, neither of them can determine whether a tumor is still active.
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Is a PET scan painless?
The only pain involved is the needle prick when you receive the radiopharmaceutical injection which does not differ from any other type of injection.
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Why is PET not well known? Why have I never heard of PET before?
While PET has been around for many years, it has only been in the last few years that it has moved from the research realm to the diagnostic/clinical sphere.
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What will happen when I arrive?
When you arrive at ImageCare for your PET/CT, you will be registered by our medical secretary and then you will be escorted to a quiet room where you will be asked to fill out a brief medial history form. A technologist or nurse will obtain a small blood sample to check your blood sugar level. If it is elevated to levels over 200 it will be necessary to reschedule your exam. So, when the test is scheduled be sure to notify the medical secretary if you are a diabetic. The technologist will then inject a small amount of radioactive glucose (FDG) into your bloodstream. This glucose is called a "tracer" and will be distributed throughout your body. There is no danger to you from the injection.
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What will happen next?
After your injection, you will be asked to relax in a lounge chair, in a quiet non-stimulating environment. You need to remain very still for about an hour beofre the scan will start. Then, you will be asked to empty your bladder, so you can be comfortable during the scan. Next, you will be taken to the PET scanner, which is similar in shape to a CT scanner. You will be asked to lie on a scanning bed, the bed will move slowly through the scanner to detect the "tracer". Some people will fall asleep during the procedure. When the imaging is complete, the scanner will send the resulting information to a computer. The computer then generates a number of images that will be reviewd by a specially-trained radiologist. Your doctor will receive a detailed report of the findings in 2-3 days.
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How long will I be here/How will I feel afterward?
You can expect to be at ImageCare's PET/CT center for about 2 hours. The actual scan itself takes about 30 minutes depending on what kind of scan you are having. Your family and friends will need to wait in the waiting room during your test. You should feel fine after your PET scan. There are no side effects from the injection.
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