PET Scans at Yazhi Scans & Labs: Precision for Early Cancer Detection

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a type of imaging test. It uses a radioactive substance called a tracer to look for disease in the body.

A PET scan shows how organs and tissues are working. This is different than MRI and CT scans. These tests show the structure of, and blood flow to and from organs.

PET scans can detect cancers, as well as organs that are not working normally (such as areas of the brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease or areas of the heart that have been damaged by blocked blood vessels). 

The PET scan is considered to be a safe procedure that exposes you to around the same amount of radiation that you would receive from the general environment over about three years. 

PET scans are performed for many reasons, including:

  • Finding tumours
  • Monitoring the spread or recurrence of cancer
  • Monitoring a tumour’s response to treatment
  • Diagnosing and evaluating heart disease
  • Assessing whether someone with refractory epilepsy may benefit from surgery

A PET scan involves the painless injection of a small amount of a ‘positron-emitting’ radioactive material (called a radiopharmaceutical). Images of the body are then taken using a PET scanner. The camera detects emissions coming from the injected radiopharmaceutical, and the computer attached to the camera creates two and three-dimensional images of the area being examined.

Immediately after the PET scan

After your PET scan, you can go on with your normal activities straight away. The injection of the radioactive material does not make you feel any different or drowsy. There are no sedative drugs or anaesthesia used during this procedure.

Your scan results will not be available immediately. Before you leave, the nuclear medicine scientist will tell you when your doctor will have the results. You will need to make a follow-up appointment with your doctor to discuss the results of your PET scan.

Complications of a PET scan

A PET scan is considered to be a safe procedure. It exposes you to around the same amount of radiation that you would receive from the general environment over about three years. The injected radioactive chemicals have a very short lifespan and are removed from the body fairly quickly.

Sometimes, you will be advised to avoid close contact with babies or pregnant women in the few hours after your scan. ( BETTER HEALTH)