If you are having a PET CT scan or know someone who is then you have come to the right place. This article acts as a guide to everything you need to know about this scan. A PET CT scan is in fact two scans packaged up into one. It is done this way because it provides a picture that is much clearer than if one of the scans was done independently. All scans are carried out so that a picture or image of the inside of the body can be obtained. There are a few different types of scan and each one has its own unique advantages. A PET CT scan can provide a very intricate picture down to a cellular level. This makes it ideal for detecting illnesses and disease very early on.
The field of oncology or cancer treatment in particular relies on the images from a PET CT scan. Because it provides images of the cells in the body, a doctor can see if the cells are normal or abnormal and even tell the rate that any cancer cells may be spreading. Detection of cancer early on is one of the best ways it can be treated successfully. The scan also acts as a map and directions for doctors carrying out chemotherapy and other treatments - they know exactly where to aim the treatment.
A PET scan is an abbreviation for Positron Emission Tomography. This scan detects the metabolic signal of cancer cells that are growing. A CT scan is an abbreviation for a Computerized Tomography (CT) scan and it provides a very detailed image of the inside of the body. When combined the result is an accurate image of any cancerous activity. The scans are carried out at the same time and can be carried out on an outpatient basis. There are no side effects of these scans and it doesn't take very long to carry out either. Because of its simplicity it is always the preferred choice for doctors over other diagnosing methods such as investigative surgery which can be very disruptive and also risky for the patient. A PET CT scan is also much cheaper to carry out than surgery.
The PET part of the combined scan involves administering some radioactive material to the patient. This can be done either by an injection, a pill or even via the inhalation of a type of gas. Although it is bad for the body to be exposed to large amounts of radiation, the amount used in the PET is so small that there are no serious side effects. The radioactive material travels to the area of the body that is being explored and where it accumulates it gives off gamma rays. A scanner picks up the signal of these gamma rays and software converts the data collected into an intricate image of the structure and function of the organs, cells and tissues found there.
A CT scan is effective at providing anatomical information within the body and so when combined with a PET scan the result is a very clear picture. This makes diagnosing much easier for doctors which of course makes treatment easier to prescribe too. When it comes to treating serious illnesses such as cancer it is very important that as much information is gathered as possible. This is also true as treatment progresses so doctors can see what treatment is working and what isn't. A PET CT scan can be carried out at regular intervals during treatment.
All medical imaging systems are valuable to the medical profession, but none more so than the pet ct scan. The results can be displayed for all those on the tumor board of a patient for example which can help the whole team do their jobs more successfully and help treat the patient.
Kathryn Dawson writes articles for Mirada Medical, a solutions provider of internationally recognised software which enables the fusing and manipulation of MRI, PET and PET CT scan data from medical imaging systems. Presenting a case in tumor board meetings is now easier and more rewarding, helping decision makers share and communicate diagnostic findings in order to produce a care plan for a patient.
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