PET scan stands for positron emission tomography scanning, and is a type of sophisticated medical imaging technique such as MRI and CT scans. This type of scan makes use of a radioactive tracer to identify changes in tissue on a molecular level. A PET scan can be used to look for cancer in the lymph nodes in the lungs. It can also reveal if the lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The most common radioactive tracer used in PET scans is called FDG-18, a radioactive version of glucose. When this tracer is introduced into the body, it acts as glucose does, and goes to areas where glucose should. FDG-18 is able to reveal cancer cells because these use glucose differently than normal cells.
For a more accurate lung cancer diagnosis, a PET scan is often followed by a CT scan. That said, there are actually machines that can do both scans simultaneously. In the case of early stage lung cancer, a PET scan can be used to identify if the cancer has spread to other areas, which can help determine if surgery is a viable option.
PET scans have no major side effects, and patients will not feel differently after the procedure. The only known side effect of PET scans is pretty minor, and this is the length of time needed to finish the procedure, as it often takes more than an hour. That said, after your PET scan has been completed, you are not “radioactive” and can have close proximity to others right away. You may go back to your normal diet and activities immediately.
Sources:
PET scan, cancerresearchuk.org
PET scan for evaluation lung nodules, oncolink.org
No comments:
Post a Comment