LOURDES and Positron Imaging of the Southern Tier are pleased to add a powerful
resource to the cancer-fighting tools of the LOURDES Regional Cancer Center. The cutting-edge advances
offered by our PET scanner means that one of the latest advances in oncology
diagnosis is now available in our community.
What is PET?
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) is a powerful diagnostic tool that, in many cases,
renders answers that no other imaging tests can provide. This noninvasive procedure helps physicians
in their diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases. Biochemical changes are detected by a PET scan
after a compound that contains radioactive molecules, bound to a sugar-like substance, is injected into
the body. These molecules provide the tracers that allow the measurement of metabolic activity within
the body. A computer records this information and converts it into pictures for diagnostic purposes.
Clinical Applications of PET
Most common application of PET is in the field of Oncology.
ONCOLOGY (cancer) is the most important application of PET and provides vital diagnostic information
that can alter the course of cancer treatment and sometimes help in avoiding unwarranted surgery. PET
provides critical information about whether a tumor is malignant or not; the extent of cancer; whether
it has spread to other organs or not; monitoring of cancer recurrences; and monitoring the effectiveness
of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. PET works with Lourdes CT Simulator
to permit more precise treatments.
What
are the benefits of PET for patients?
- Detailed diagnostic information, not available from other tests (like CT, MRI)
- Shorter time for definitive diagnosis
- Earlier detection of disease with fewer invasive diagnostic procedures
- Precise staging of the disease and better monitoring of cancer recurrences
- More effective tracking of the results of chemotherapy
- May avoid some surgical intervention
- Can contribute to lowering the overall cost of care
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long does it take and does it hurt?
In most cases you will be on the scanner table for about an hour. However, you could be in the department
for up to three hours. The scan itself causes no pain. An IV line may be started in your hand or arm
in order to infuse the radio-labeled glucose.
What is being injected for the scan?
A very small amount of radioactive labeled glucose (FDG) is infused. The amount of radiation you will
receive is about the same as any other radiology procedure (CT scans or Nuclear Medicine procedures).
You should not feel any side effects from the material. Most of the radioactivity will be gone by the
time you leave the department.
How do I prepare for the exam?
Eating & Medication: On the day of your exam, you should have no food for 6 hours prior
to your appointment. If your schedule allows, you may eat a light breakfast. For example, 2 eggs with
cheese and meat (no: bread/jam/jelly/honey, nor fruit or fruit juice, cereal, coffee, or tea) water
only with breakfast. For the remainder of the day, you may drink only water (please remember that you
will be undergoing a one hour long scan, so do not drink gallons of water. A few glasses throughout
the day is fine). Please do not chew gum on the day of your exam until the scan is complete. You may
take any medications prescribed by your physician.
If you are a diabetic patient, you should eat small protein only meals (i.e. meat, fish or chicken)
as needed to control your blood sugar. You should adhere to your normal insulin schedule or modify it
only under your physician's supervision.
Claustrophobic:
Most claustrophobic patients are able to tolerate our PET/CT due to the unique design of the "open Gantry"
and shorter scan duration. Patients that are claustrophobic are encouraged to ask
their physician for a mild sedative to aid them and increase their comfort level.
Activity during the scan: You should not sleep during a brain scan because sleep changes the
way your brain works. If you are having a whole body scan which does not include a brain scan, you can
sleep. During the scan, we ask that you are in a quiet, resting state. It is extremely important that
you lie still throughout the scan.
What will happen after the scan?
It is important that you drink as much as possible for the rest of the day and empty your bladder as
often as possible. This will result in a more rapid clearance of radioactivity from your body. You can
drive and resume normal activities immediately after leaving the department, unless you have received
sedation.
When will I get the results?
The final results will be given to your referring physician as soon as the images are analyzed, usually
within one working day.
Will my insurance cover PET?
Most insurance companies reimburse for PET procedures. It is important to contact our office regarding
coverage. We should be able to assist you with pre-authorizations or other specific insurance company
requirements.
In the rare instances that medical insurance does not include PET coverage, our policy is to work with
you so that no person for whom a PET would be a critical diagnostic or treatment related tool is denied
access to this technology.
For more information call Positron Imaging of the Southern Tier at
(607) 729-9821.