PET cancer scans use radioactive tracers to detect metabolic activity in organs and tissues, with 18F-FDG being the most commonly used. PET scans can detect subtle differences in metabolic activity with 95% accuracy and are used to monitor cancer progress and evaluate treatment effectiveness. The procedure is non-invasive and painless, but not recommended for pregnant or nursing women due to radiation exposure.
The different varieties of PET cancer scans are differentiated by the type of radioactive material used. This radioactive tracer is chosen based on which area of the body is being investigated. The most commonly used radiotracer in PET cancer scans is 2-Deoxy-2-(18F)fluoro-D-glucose, sometimes called 18F-FDG for short, which is a form of sugar with a radioactive tag. Dozens of other types of radioactive substances are currently available for use in PET cancer scans with humans. The appropriate radiotracer for a particular scan will be chosen by nuclear medicine and medical imaging experts.
PET cancer scans are technically known as positron emission tomography, a type of advanced medical imaging that can show the level of functioning of human organs and tissues. PET scans use a low dose of radioactive material that is injected, ingested, or inhaled by the patient. The radiotracer tends to accumulate in areas of increased metabolic activity, such as cancerous tumors, which emit gamma rays and show up on the scan image as visual hot spots. Unlike other types of medical imaging, a PET scan can detect subtle differences in metabolic activity with 95% accuracy, leading to the ability to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors.
A PET scan could be used to evaluate a number of medical conditions, including cancer, heart problems and neurological problems. PET cancer scans are often used to monitor the progress of the cancer and help evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. Certain types of cancer are unlikely to show up on a PET scan, which is typically used for specific types of cancer affecting the lungs, breast, cervix, brain, thyroid gland, or esophagus. PET scans are also typically used with melanoma and lymphoma.
A PET scanner is a large box-shaped machine with a tunnel area in the middle. The patient lies on an examination table which slowly slides into the tunnel space. Some individuals may experience anxiety during the exam due to being confined in a confined space. For many people, the only discomfort involved with the procedure is the result of having to be very still for about 30 minutes during the scan. The PET scan procedure is considered non-invasive and painless.
The small amount of radiation used in a PET scan has a very short half-life, meaning it breaks down within about two hours and leaves the body through urination within a day or two. This procedure is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women due to the danger of exposing the fetus or newborn to radiation. There is also a slight risk of an allergic reaction to the radiotracer used for the procedure.
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